Fugitive in Marmaris Hotel Attack Arrested After 10 Years

The suspect, identified as Karatepe, was captured in Afyonkarahisar following a joint operation by the Muğla Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and police units from Afyonkarahisar, Eskişehir, and Muğla, then transferred to Muğla for processing. After questioning by prosecutors, a judge ordered his arrest, citing the strong evidence, his 10-year flight risk, and the inadequacy of judicial control measures. The court also opened a session in his case, where he faced charges including attempted assassination of the president, violating the constitution, intentional killing and attempted killing due to duty, deprivation of liberty, aggravated assault, threats, violating domicile, and robbery.

The hearing was adjourned to October 26, 2026. The attack on Erdoğan's hotel in Marmaris killed police officers Mehmet Çetin and Nedip Cengiz Eker. Previously, 31 defendants, including former Brigadier General Gökhan Şahin Sönmezateş and former Major Şükrü Seymen, received multiple aggravated life sentences, while others got life terms. Karatepe was captured on August 1.