IMM executive kidnapped in front of his home found
Erhan Karaal, Deputy General Manager of IMM Culture Inc., was kidnapped by unidentified individuals who forced him into a vehicle in front of his home in Maltepe. Following a large-scale investigation launched after the incident, which was witnessed by his daughter, Karaal was found in Tuzla, and 7 people considered to be linked to the kidnapping were taken into custody.
12punto
A kidnapping incident targeting a high-level executive working within the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) has caused widespread repercussions in the city. Erhan Karaal, Deputy General Manager of IMM Culture Inc., was kidnapped after being forced into a vehicle following an attack in front of his home in Maltepe. As a result of the efforts carried out by police teams, Karaal was found in Tuzla, and 7 suspects linked to the incident were taken into custody.
AMBUSHED IN FRONT OF HIS HOME
The incident occurred yesterday at around 21:00 in Maltepe. According to the information obtained, Erhan Karaal was attacked by individuals who got out of another vehicle as he arrived at the street where his home is located and was about to get into his own car.
The unidentified individuals beat Karaal, forced him into the vehicle, and fled the scene.
HIS DAUGHTER WITNESSED THE MOMENTS
According to information provided by Karaal's family, the attackers struck Erhan Karaal on the head and then placed a sack over his head. Karaal was then forced into the vehicle and kidnapped.
It was learned that Erhan Karaal's daughter also witnessed the events. It was stated that the incident had a major shocking effect on the family.
LICENSE PLATE FOUND TO BE CLONED
A striking detail was reached regarding the vehicle used in the kidnapping as part of the investigation.
Examinations determined that the license plate of the vehicle used in the incident was prepared by cloning the plate of a vehicle belonging to Karaal's neighbor. Police teams have deepened their efforts to identify the suspects who attempted to cover their tracks using the license plate cloning method.
LAST SIGNAL FROM HIS PHONE CAME FROM KARTAL
In the first stage of the investigation, it was determined that the last signal received from Erhan Karaal's mobile phone came from the Kartal district.
Upon this information, teams began examining security cameras in the area, and a multi-faceted study was launched to find the kidnapped executive.
Erhan Karaal's wife, Ayşe Karaal, stated that her husband did not have any personal conflicts with anyone.
Ayşe Karaal said that Erhan Karaal had no enemies and no outstanding debts or financial disputes.
CHIEF PUBLIC PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE TOOK ACTION
The Istanbul Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor's Office also launched an ex officio investigation into the incident.
It was reported that the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office gave the necessary instructions to police teams to find the victim and apprehend the suspects involved in the incident.
Initial examinations conducted after the incident suggested that a total of four people may have participated in the kidnapping act.
According to information provided by NTV reporter Ali Ablay, it is believed that Erhan Karaal was followed after leaving his workplace. Accordingly, it is estimated that two people waited for Karaal in front of his home, carried out the attack and beat him, and that two more people were in the vehicle that arrived for the kidnapping.
FOOTAGE OF THE VEHICLE USED IN THE KIDNAPPING EMERGES
New footage has been obtained in the investigation conducted regarding the incident.
In the footage served by the Ihlas News Agency, the moments when the car, which is alleged to be the one in which Erhan Karaal was forced after being beaten, sped away from the street were captured.
The footage has been included in the investigation file as evidence.
FOUND IN TUZLA, 7 PEOPLE DETAINED
Following the kidnapping incident, Erhan Karaal was found in Tuzla as a result of a large-scale operation carried out by the Istanbul Police.
A total of 7 people considered to be linked to the incident were taken into custody as part of the investigation.
WHO IS ERHAN KARAAL?
Erhan Karaal, who started working as the Financial Affairs Manager at IMM Culture Inc. on November 1, 2019, was appointed as the Acting Deputy General Manager of Financial and Administrative Affairs on May 12, 2025.
A graduate of the business administration department, Karaal is married and a father of two.