Striking details in the Casperler criminal organization case: See how they used children

As a result of a comprehensive investigation conducted by the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office Juvenile Crimes Investigation Bureau, a detailed indictment was formed regarding the activities of the organized crime group known as the "Casperler." The indictment levels charges against 68 suspects under the age of 18, and the file includes 4 deaths, 7 victims, and 57 complainants. The investigation focused on operations carried out in many districts of Istanbul as well as the Çeşme district of Izmir, and it was determined that a large number of child suspects were involved in criminal activities.

According to the indictment, it was determined that the organization was led by İsmail Atız, known by the nickname "Hamuş." It is stated that the group was involved in crimes such as robbery, threats, intentional injury, possession of unlicensed weapons, drug trafficking, prostitution, and restriction of personal liberty, primarily in districts such as Bahçelievler, Küçükçekmece, and Bağcılar. It was revealed that the organization preferred young people and children, mostly under the age of 18, who could ride motorcycles, for their criminal plans.

The indictment states that the organization approached children from economically disadvantaged neighborhoods with promises of 10 thousand to 50 thousand TL per crime, but often failed to make these payments; partial payments were made through bank accounts belonging to others. It was determined that children who drove motorcycles as "pioneers" and opened fire as "rear guards" were caught after many incidents, while the leaders motivated new members to join the organization with incentives such as money, motorcycles, weapons, and even drugs.

The organization aimed to use "cell houses" established in various locations across the city for hiding before or after attacks, supplying weapons, and housing members coming from outside the city. The indictment reported that, particularly in an attempted murder against a victim, the hierarchical structure of the organization was maintained by providing the children alleged to have committed the crime with a place to stay, new clothes, and mobile phones.

Furthermore, it was noted that the propaganda activities carried out by the organization on social media were effective on children experiencing psychological and social problems. It was alleged that the children, acting out of a sense of exclusion from their families or environment, saw belonging to the group as a solution and joined for this reason. Statements also included that the leaders promised to protect them within the organization through an "older brother-younger brother" relationship.

In the investigation file, the acts attributed to the child suspects included numerous crimes such as murder and attempted murder, qualified robbery, armed threats, intentional injury, forgery of official documents, unauthorized possession or transfer of dangerous substances, drug trafficking, intentionally endangering public safety, property damage, and theft. It was stated that 41 separate crimes were committed in the file.

Victim statements in the file handled by the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office revealed the organization's methods of attack and intimidation. Jeweler U.D. included the following in his statement: "While I was performing ablution at my jewelry store in Bahçelievler, a person in dark blue clothing, estimated to be 14-15 years old, came to my workplace and left a note for my father saying, 'Your life is getting shorter. You will regret this. There is an older brother waiting for you at every corner,' and then left. At that moment, I was called from a number and they threatened me with death, saying, 'If you don't reach an agreement with us, we will shoot you; your family, you, whoever carries your surname, they will all die. We know your house, your shop, everything. Give us the money we want.' It is the same number I mentioned at the police station. The person said, 'I am calling on behalf of the Casperler group. I am Burak B.'"

İlbeyi Beyaz provided the following information: "On the morning of November 14, 2024, when I arrived at my workplace called KALE TAKSİ at 09.30, my brother Taner told me that the workplace had been set on fire by a masked person at 05.25, but that it had extinguished itself. Subsequently, a video of the fire at my workplace was sent to me via a foreign number with the message, 'İlbey, here is my gift to you. You didn't understand us, I guess. Those police officers can't protect you, they just buy some time, that's all. Do you think you'll be saved by riding in an armored car?' I then blocked this number as well."

Another victim, Nazım Gökay, explained: "I learned from my tradesman neighbors that an armed attack had been carried out on my workplace. When I went to the workplace, I saw bullet entry points on the shop shutter as a result of the shooting. For about a month, I have been called from different numbers registered abroad on my own line. I received threatening messages such as, 'You will die, I will kill you, we will come for your family and your entire lineage, I guess you took us as a joke, my son, these attacks will continue, look, from now on we will come for your life.'"

HEAVY CHARGES AND THE JUDICIAL PROCESS

Within the scope of the prepared indictment, various charges were leveled against the suspects, including membership in a criminal organization, qualified robbery, premeditated murder and attempted murder, possession of unlicensed weapons and ammunition, and possession of a large number of dangerous weapons. The indictment prepared regarding the case was sent to the Bakırköy Juvenile High Criminal Court for evaluation.

News Source: 12punto