Berat Topay case, who died due to the intervention of a fake physiotherapist in Istanbul

42-year-old Berat Topay, who wanted to have a massage in Beyoğlu, Istanbul, complaining of back and neck pain, fell ill after the "bruising" procedure applied to his neck. Topay, who was taken to the hospital and taken to intensive care, died despite all the interventions.

Allegedly; Topay, who had been complaining about neck and back pain for a while, went to Şenol Karataş's house in Beyoğlu, whom she had known for 5 years, for treatment on May 21 and had cupping and massage. Then the neck area was intervened.

During the practice, after Karataş grabbed Berat Topay's neck and cracked it, the unfortunate man said that he suddenly felt bad. Topay, who was laid on a flat surface, lost consciousness within minutes and fell ill.

Upon notice, medical teams came to the address and took Berat Topay to Okmeydanı Prof. Dr. Cemil Taşçıoğlu took him to City Hospital. Topay, whose heart was determined to have stopped in the hospital, was brought back to life and intubated with the intervention of doctors, died despite all the efforts in the intensive care unit. Following the incident, fake physiotherapist Şenol Karataş was detained and arrested.

According to the news in Sabah; The police statement of suspect Şenol Karataş, who was detained by Kasımpaşa Police Headquarters teams, was revealed:

"I have done cupping and massage for about 5-6 years, I did not mean anything by claiming to have a masseur course certificate. I make my living by working as a laborer... I have been doing cupping therapy, cupping and massage work in order to earn financial income for 5-6 years. I also presented my masseur course certificate, which shows my competence in this field, to the officers in charge for your review. I have known Sinan and Berat, the other parties of the incident, for about 4-5 years; I have been giving them massages in this way for the last 6 months. "I'm doing it."

Explaining that two brothers came to him on the day of the incident, Karataş continued as follows: "Berat said that he had pain in the neck and back area and asked me to help. So, I started to apply massage and cupping therapy to help Berat. After applying the massage for about 5 minutes, I grabbed Berat's neck and pulled it.

Immediately after this action, Berat stated that he felt bad. Thereupon, Sinan and I took Berat to a flat place and laid him on his back. After about 5 minutes, Berat said that his condition got worse and he slowly started to lose consciousness. I have absolutely no intention or intent to cause harm in this incident; I don't know why Berat got sick either.

Suspect Şenol Karataş, who was referred to the courthouse after his procedures at the police station and charged with "Causing Death by Recklessness" and violating the Law No. 1219 on the Practice of Medicine and Medical Arts, was arrested and sent to prison by the criminal judgeship of peace.

Following the incident in which fake therapist Şenol Karataş was arrested and sent to prison, the detailed statement of his brother Sinan Topay, who witnessed his brother dying in front of his eyes, was revealed at the police station.

Explaining the reasons for going to Şenol Karataş's house in Kasımpaşa Hacıahmet District with his brother and the moments of horror that took place, Sinan Topay stated that they had known the suspect for years and said:

"Yesterday, on 21.05.2026, around 21.00, we went to the house of a person named Şenol Karataş with my brother Berat Topay. The reason we went to the address in question was that my brother had been having pain in his back and neck for about a week or two. The reason why we went to a person named Şenol is that Şenol does cupping, cupping, cupping therapy and massage. "We have known the person named Şenol for about 4-5 years and we have been to Şenol for treatment purposes about 10 times during this period."

Stating that the fake therapist started to intervene with his brother after he went home, the unfortunate brother described the moment of the fatal touch with the following words:

"Today, after going to the address in question with my brother, Şenol started to massage my brother. During the continuation of the massage, Şenol cracked my brother's neck for treatment. Then my brother said he felt bad. When he felt bad, Şenol and I took my brother to a flat place and laid him on his back. "After about 5 minutes, my brother started to slowly lose consciousness, saying he felt worse."

"Because my brother was ill, I immediately called the medical teams and helped my brother to come to his senses during this time, but there was no change in my brother's condition. When the medical teams arrived, my brother was unconscious. Then they took my brother to the hospital by ambulance. I went to the hospital with Şenol. At the hospital, the doctors said that my brother's heart had stopped and they intervened, and he is now intubated."

At the end of his statement, Sinan Topay stated that he thought there was no intentionality in the tragedy and said, "We went with my brother for treatment and Şenol did the same treatments and massages that he had done before. Also, I know that Şenol has a certificate for these treatments and massages. This is all I know about the subject." he said.