In the investigation into the attacks in Afyonkarahisar that resulted in the loss of 8 lives, it has been alleged that the events are connected to a debt dispute arising from the purchase of a combine harvester. It was stated in the testimony of suspect Arif Sefa Özdemir to the gendarmerie that he purchased a combine harvester from Ahmet Uzel last year for 40 thousand Euros and worked with the machine in the vicinity of Manisa and İzmir.
According to the allegations, the combine harvester became unusable in a fire that broke out in a field during the harvest. Following the fire, a dispute arose between Özdemir and Uzel regarding payment. It was reported that Özdemir claimed he was asked for 11 thousand Euros last week, while he maintained that the remaining debt was 4 thousand Euros.
It is alleged that the phone conversations between the parties turned into mutual insults and threats over time. It was stated that on the day of the incident, Özdemir called Ahmet Uzel to Afyonkarahisar to make a payment, and Uzel arrived in the city accompanied by Bekir and Noman Toprak.
It is alleged that after an argument broke out at the meeting held at the exit of Ayazini village, Özdemir opened fire with a pump-action shotgun, killing three people. It is claimed that the suspect then fled the scene and targeted other individuals he encountered along his route in order to carjack their vehicles.
THE PHONE CALL DESCRIBED BY THE VILLAGE HEADMAN
It was learned that the combine harvester, which is cited as the root cause of the attacks, is located in the Tekeli Atatürk neighborhood of the Menderes district of İzmir. Neighborhood Headman Osman Kavlagan said that Özdemir called him on the phone one day before the incident.
Kavlagan explained that during the conversation, which began at 18:42 on Wednesday and lasted approximately 9 minutes, Özdemir first asked if he had any problems, and then asked for his forgiveness. Kavlagan recounted the conversation with these words: "Headman, is there anything bothering you? Any trouble, anything I can do for you?"
Kavlagan stated that Özdemir then said, "Brother, you have done a lot for me, please forgive me," and that he replied by saying the tarp on the combine harvester had been torn and they should fix it together. According to Kavlagan, Özdemir said, "No brother, I am not in a position to come right now. Please forgive me again."
Headman Kavlagan also said that Özdemir was known in the region as "Harvester Arif." Stating that the combine harvester was moved from where it was found by tractor with the help of neighborhood residents after the fire, Kavlagan expressed that approximately 50 thousand liras were collected for Özdemir with the support of local tradesmen.
Ahmet Gök, the owner of the field where the combine harvester burned, also explained that both the machine and the crops in the field were damaged during the fire. Gök stated that he felt regret after hearing the news of the attack, saying, "We collected money in the village for Arif Sefa Özdemir. He had a combine harvester debt. Both our field and our crops burned. We did not file a complaint."
News Source: 12punto
