Istanbul – An Iranian national, identified as Y.B.G., was detained in connection with the murder of taxi driver Yaşar Yanıkyürek in Postacı Halil Sokak in Tarabya. Following his arrest, the suspect underwent the necessary procedures at the Istanbul Security Department Murder Bureau Branch. After a health check-up, the suspect was taken to the Istanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan.
The suspect was detained by the peace criminal court for “murder with monstrous feelings” and “robbery” charges following his statement to the prosecutor’s office. During his testimony, Y.B.G revealed that he is an Iranian citizen who arrived in Turkey legally with a three-month visa on February 11. His intention for coming to Turkey was to work, but if he couldn’t find a job, he planned to go to Germany illegally. He explained that he used to work as an accountant in Iran and that he had not been working in Turkey since his arrival.
Y.B.G claimed that he was staying at a hotel in Taksim and was trying to contact individuals who would take him to Germany. He stated that he met someone on Istiklal Avenue who promised to take him to Germany and was waiting for news from that person. On the day of the incident, he left the hotel in the afternoon and got into a taxi asking to be shown around before returning to the hotel. He clarified that he did not give a specific address but intended to go around for a while.
The suspect further described how the taxi driver took him to several places, demanded a fare of 200 dollars, and a dispute arose regarding the payment. Y.B.G mentioned that he had initially told the driver he only had 500 Turkish Liras and refused to pay 200 dollars. The argument escalated, leading to verbal abuse from the driver, to which he responded by taking out a knife and stabbing the driver multiple times in anger. He then admitted to stealing money from the driver after the attack and was eventually caught.
During the interrogation, Y.B.G admitted that he needed money and that his intention was to rob the taxi driver. When questioned about the plastic handcuffs, tape, and scissors found in his possession, the suspect claimed they were for packing his belongings. The incident involving the murder of the taxi driver shocked the community, as the driver was found dead in his vehicle after being brutally attacked and thrown onto the street. The police apprehended the suspect in the stolen taxi with a sharp object believed to be the murder weapon.
