Nightclub owner killed in Bursa; perpetrator sentenced to 24 years in prison

Bülent Karakuş, who operated a nightclub in the Nilüfer district of Bursa, was shot and killed with a handgun. The trial of the defendant, Ertuğrul Erdoğan, who was accused of killing Karakuş, was held at the Bursa 5th High Criminal Court. The detained defendant Ertuğrul Erdoğan, the complainants, and the lawyers for both parties attended the hearing.

In his defense, Erdoğan stated that he met Bülent Karakuş in 2022 and that they began working together as partners in real estate and land sales. Stating that they worked sometimes as partners and sometimes on a commission basis, Erdoğan claimed that after a while, Karakuş was unhappy with the money he earned and began to pressure him.

'I THOUGHT HE WOULD KILL ME, SO I FIRED'

Defendant Erdoğan stated that he went out with two friends on the day of the incident and sent his location to Karakuş, who had called him, adding, "The victim arrived in his vehicle. I told my friends I would come after they moved ahead. Karakuş cursed at me. When he reached for his person and went toward his vehicle, I thought he would take a weapon from the car and kill me, so I fired with the weapon I had on me. I do not remember hitting him in the head with the gun after firing. I had lost control of myself."

Stating that he had purchased the weapon used in the murder 3 days before the incident, defendant Erdoğan claimed that he did not record the footage showing him beating Karakuş after shooting him.

The Public Prosecutor requested that the defendant be punished for the crimes of "intentional killing under unjust provocation" and "carrying an unlicensed weapon."

REQUESTED ACQUITTAL

Given the floor again, the defendant stated that he was remorseful and requested his acquittal and release.

Announcing its verdict, the court panel sentenced the defendant to a total of 24 years in prison—18 years for "intentional killing under unjust provocation" and 6 years for "carrying an unlicensed weapon"—along with a judicial fine of 12 thousand Turkish Lira.

News Source: 12punto