Within the scope of the investigation carried out against organized crime organizations in Istanbul, it was determined that Yakup Kerem Saral, a member of the Sarallar Armed Crime Organization, who was wanted with a red notice and was a fugitive abroad, was preparing to assassinate Sedat Şahin. Rocket launchers, 3 anti-tank rocket ammunition, 2 Kalashnikovs and 2 MP5 automatic weapons were seized from the arsenal hidden in a landscape area in Beykoz to be used in the assassination. All 19 suspects, 7 of whom were Iranian nationals, were arrested within the scope of the operation.
As part of the investigations carried out by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against armed organized crime organizations that are structured in cities, exploit young people and use social media as a propaganda tool, an assassination plan against Sedat Şahin was revealed. With the coordinated work of Istanbul Police Department's Organized Crime and Intelligence Branch directorates, various details of the attack against Şahin, from the weapons depot to reconnaissance studies, the escape plan of the attackers and the payments to be made, were reached.
THE 3 SUSPECTS IN KADIKÖY WERE TAKEN TO THE ARMORY
The operation started in Kadıköy on August 31, 2026. Three suspects who tried to escape from a stopped vehicle were caught by police teams. A gun and drugs were seized from the suspects and with them.
Following the capture, as a result of analysis and intelligence work carried out through open and closed sources, the investigation was moved to Beykoz. The teams determined that an address operating as a landscaping area was used to store weapons and ammunition belonging to the organized crime group.
A ROCKET LAUNCHER CAME OUT AMONG THE TREES AND POTS
During the search with detector dogs in the landscape area, 1 rocket launcher, 3 rocket launcher propellant cartridges, 3 anti-tank rocket ammunition, 2 Kalashnikov (AK-47) long-barreled guns, 2 MP5 automatic weapons, many magazines and cartridges were seized.
During the searches, a stolen motorcycle and a BMW car with foreign license plates, which was thought to be used in the attack, were seized.
Within the scope of the investigation, it was determined that weapons and ammunition were brought to the landscape area at different times and hidden among trees and flower pots. It was determined that the arsenal was made ready shortly before the planned attack.
THE ARMORY SHELTER WAS MOVED ONE DAY AGO
In the investigation carried out by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was determined that the seized weapons and ammunition would be used in the planned killing of Sedat Şahin, and that the criminal elements were moved to the container in the area only one day before the operation.
It was determined that the name at the center of the investigation was Yakup Kerem Saral, who had previously been issued a red notice and was a fugitive abroad. It was determined that Saral organized the action against the murder of Sedat Şahin.
SEDAT ŞAHİN WAS FOLLOWED
In the examination of digital materials seized from the suspects, photos of Sedat Şahin and information about the invitations and organizations he would attend were found.
It was determined that Sedat Şahin's movements were followed in digital materials and reconnaissance activities were carried out regarding the programs he would attend. Many photographs of pistols and long-barreled weapons, images of narcotic substances and correspondence regarding drug dealing were also found in the suspects' phones and other digital materials.
PLAN TO SLIDE THE TRIGGERS ABROAD
Digital investigations also revealed the planning for the aftermath of the assassination. It was determined that Yakup Kerem Saral planned to take the suspects who would carry out the action abroad illegally after the attack and would pay a large amount in return.
Within the scope of the investigation, a total of 19 suspects, 7 of whom were Iranian nationals and 1 of whom was a juvenile in judicial process, were caught and taken into custody. During the searches carried out at the suspects' residences, 1 UTAŞ brand gun and many cartridges were also found.
ALL 19 SUSPECTS WERE ARRESTED
After their procedures at the police station, 19 suspects were present at the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Following the prosecution procedures, all 19 suspects who were referred to the criminal judgeship of peace on duty were arrested and sent to prison.
Within the scope of the investigation of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, reconnaissance studies were carried out against Sedat Şahin, and the rocket launcher; It was determined that heavy weapons, including anti-tank ammunition, were prepared and that the perpetrators were planned to be smuggled abroad after the attack. It was reported that the assassination plan was prevented before it turned into action.
