The incident occurred on July 29, 2025, in the Gökçeli neighborhood of the Salıpazarı district. According to the information obtained, there was a long-standing feud between retired police officer Cemil Çakır (70) and his cousin, taxi driver Bahittin Çakır (76), a father of 3, due to a land dispute. On the morning of the incident, Bahittin Çakır was on his way to his field with his wife, Meliha Çakır, in a farm vehicle known as a 'patpat' when his path was blocked by Cemil Çakır, who was waiting on the road. Following an argument, Cemil Çakır opened fire with a handgun, and Bahittin Çakır lost his life at the scene after being struck by the bullets.
Cemil Çakır, who fled after the murder, was captured approximately 8 hours later at a vineyard house in the Esinli area of the Sarıhasan neighborhood as a result of field and intelligence operations by law enforcement. A search of the defendant revealed a handgun, ammunition for the weapon, a passport, and foreign currency.
The reasoned decision regarding the case heard at the Çarşamba High Criminal Court has been announced. The court did not accept the defendant's defense that he acted in self-defense. It was stated that no other weapons belonging to the victim or his relatives were found at the scene, and that no unjust attack against the defendant could be proven, leading to the conclusion that the conditions for self-defense were not met.
The court, concluding that the defendant, who fled after the incident and was captured 8 hours later, did not show sincere remorse, did not apply the discretionary reduction provisions under Article 62 of the Turkish Penal Code. Cemil Çakır was sentenced to life imprisonment for the crime of intentional killing. The defendant was also sentenced to 2 years and 6 months in prison and a judicial fine of 12 thousand 500 TL for violating Law No. 6136.
While the court decided that the detained defendant should remain in custody, the relatives of the deceased Bahittin Çakır stated that they would appeal the decision and demanded that the defendant be sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment.
News Source: İHA
