Burkay Karatepe, suspect in 2016 assassination attempt on President Erdoğan, captured
The former helicopter pilot was the last reported fugitive from the 37-person team targeting the Marmaris hotel.
Talivio News · Global2 min read
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The Turkish Ministry of Internal Affairs announced the capture of Burkay Karatepe, a dismissed captain and helicopter pilot linked to the July 15, 2016, coup attempt. Karatepe was part of a special forces team that attempted to assassinate Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in Marmaris during the incident.
Karatepe was apprehended in Afyonkarahisar, Turkey. The operation was coordinated by the Turkish National Police Intelligence Presidency and carried out jointly by the intelligence branches of the Afyonkarahisar and Eskişehir Provincial Police Departments, with the arrest executed by the Afyonkarahisar Counter-Terrorism Branch. He was reportedly detained on August 1, 2026.
10 years
The approximate duration Burkay Karatepe was wanted under a Red Notice.
Karatepe is considered the last remaining fugitive member of the 37-person team that targeted the hotel where President Erdoğan was staying in Marmaris. According to Turkish authorities, he was wanted on several charges, including an assassination attempt against the President, killing a person due to their public duty, opposition to the Military Penal Code, and nighttime plundering of a residence with a weapon and multiple people.
Official responses
No matter how much time passes, no traitor will escape justice.
— Turkish Justice Minister Akın Gürlek
Minister Akın Gürlek stated that the Turkish state will continue its fight against FETÖ and the coup-plotting mentality under the leadership of President Erdoğan. AK Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik noted that the fight against the FETÖ network must continue uninterrupted both in Turkey and around the world as a national duty.
The capture of Burkay Karatepe is a concrete indicator of the state's determination.
— Turkish Presidential Communications Director Burhanettin Duran
Legal background
The Marmaris Case, involving the attempt on the President, saw significant rulings at the Muğla 2nd High Criminal Court on October 4, 2017. In that case, 31 defendants were sentenced to four aggravated life sentences each, while others received varying life sentences. Among those sentenced were former Chief Aide-de-Camp to the Turkish President, Ali Yazıcı, who received an aggravated life sentence, and former Rear Admiral Tezcan Kızılelma, who was sentenced to 15 years in prison; both sentences have been finalized.
The files for Fetullah Gülen, Burkay Karatepe, Özcan Karacan, and Ramazan Elmas were separated from the main Marmaris Case to await the execution of their arrest warrants. Other convictions in the case were approved and finalized by the 3rd Penal Chamber of the Turkish Court of Cassation on May 17, 2022.
Updates
During a search of Burkay Karatepe's residence in Afyonkarahisar, authorities seized 98 ata gold coins, 4 half gold coins, 23 quarter gold coins, 33,700 US dollars, 2,620 euros, 13,525 Turkish Liras, 1 gram of narcotics, military camouflage, and various digital materials. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek confirmed the capture resulted from years of meticulous follow-up, stating that 'no traitor will escape justice' regardless of how much time passes.
During a search of Burkay Karatepe's residence in Afyonkarahisar, coordinated by the Muğla Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, authorities seized 98 ata gold coins, 4 half gold coins, 23 quarter gold coins, 33,700 US dollars, 2,620 euros, 13,525 Turkish Liras, 1 gram of narcotics, military camouflage, and various digital materials. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek confirmed the capture was the result of years of meticulous follow-up, stating, 'No matter how much time passes, no traitor will escape justice.'
During the search of Burkay Karatepe's residence in Afyonkarahisar, authorities seized 98 ata gold coins, 4 half gold coins, 23 quarter gold coins, 33,700 US dollars, 2,620 euros, 13,525 Turkish Liras, 1 gram of narcotics, military camouflage, and various digital materials. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek confirmed the capture was the result of years of meticulous follow-up, stating, 'No matter how much time passes, no traitor will escape justice.'
During a search of Burkay Karatepe's residence in Afyonkarahisar, coordinated by the Muğla Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, authorities seized a cache of valuables including 98 ata gold coins, various other gold coins, 33,700 US dollars, 2,620 euros, 13,525 Turkish Liras, 1 gram of narcotics, military camouflage, and numerous digital materials. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek confirmed the capture was the result of years of meticulous follow-up, stating that traitors will not escape justice regardless of time passed.
During the search of Burkay Karatepe's residence in Afyonkarahisar, authorities seized 98 ata gold coins, 4 half gold coins, 23 quarter gold coins, 33,700 US dollars, 2,620 euros, 13,525 Turkish Liras, 1 gram of narcotics, military camouflage, and various digital materials. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek confirmed the detention, stating that no traitor will escape justice regardless of how much time passes. The judicial proceedings are being coordinated by the Muğla Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
During a search of Burkay Karatepe's residence in Afyonkarahisar, authorities seized 98 ata gold coins, 4 half gold coins, 23 quarter gold coins, 33,700 US dollars, 2,620 euros, 13,525 Turkish Liras, 1 gram of narcotics, military camouflage, and various digital materials. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek confirmed the capture was the result of years of meticulous follow-up, stating that no traitor will escape justice. The search and ongoing judicial proceedings are being coordinated by the Muğla Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
Following his capture, a search of Burkay Karatepe's residence in Afyonkarahisar led to the seizure of 98 ata gold coins, 4 half gold coins, 23 quarter gold coins, 33,700 US dollars, 2,620 euros, 13,525 Turkish Liras, 1 gram of narcotics, military camouflage, and various digital materials. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek attributed the arrest to years of meticulous investigation, stating, 'No matter how much time passes, no traitor will escape justice.'
During a search of Burkay Karatepe's residence in Afyonkarahisar, authorities seized 98 ata gold coins, 4 half gold coins, 23 quarter gold coins, 33,700 US dollars, 2,620 euros, 13,525 Turkish Liras, 1 gram of narcotics, military camouflage, and numerous digital materials. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek confirmed the detention was the result of years of meticulous follow-up, stating that 'no traitor will escape justice' regardless of how much time passes.
During a search of Burkay Karatepe's residence in Afyonkarahisar, coordinated by the Muğla Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, authorities seized 98 ata gold coins, 4 half gold coins, 23 quarter gold coins, 33,700 US dollars, 2,620 euros, 13,525 Turkish Liras, 1 gram of narcotics, military camouflage, and various digital materials. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek confirmed the capture was the result of years of meticulous work, stating, 'No matter how much time passes, no traitor will escape justice.'
During the search of Burkay Karatepe's residence in Afyonkarahisar, authorities seized 98 ata gold coins, 4 half gold coins, 23 quarter gold coins, 33,700 US dollars, 2,620 euros, 13,525 Turkish Liras, 1 gram of narcotics, military camouflage, and various digital materials. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek confirmed the capture followed years of meticulous investigation, stating, 'No matter how much time passes, no traitor will escape justice.'
During a search of Burkay Karatepe's residence in Afyonkarahisar, coordinated by the Muğla Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, authorities seized 98 ata gold coins, 4 half gold coins, 23 quarter gold coins, 33,700 US dollars, 2,620 euros, 13,525 Turkish Liras, 1 gram of narcotics, military camouflage, and numerous digital materials. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek confirmed the capture resulted from years of meticulous follow-up, stating, 'No matter how much time passes, no traitor will escape justice.'
During a search of Burkay Karatepe's residence in Afyonkarahisar, authorities seized 98 ata gold coins, 4 half gold coins, 23 quarter gold coins, 33,700 US dollars, 2,620 euros, 13,525 Turkish Liras, 1 gram of narcotics, military camouflage, and numerous digital materials. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek confirmed the capture was the result of years of meticulous studies, stating, 'No matter how much time passes, no traitor will escape justice.'
During the search of Burkay Karatepe's residence in Afyonkarahisar, authorities seized 98 ata gold coins, 4 half gold coins, 23 quarter gold coins, 33,700 US dollars, 2,620 euros, 13,525 Turkish Liras, 1 gram of narcotics, military camouflage, and numerous digital materials. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek confirmed the arrest, stating that 'no matter how much time passes, no traitor will escape justice.'
During the search of Burkay Karatepe's residence in Afyonkarahisar, coordinated by the Muğla Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, authorities seized 98 ata gold coins, 4 half gold coins, 23 quarter gold coins, 33,700 US dollars, 2,620 euros, 13,525 Turkish Liras, 1 gram of narcotics, military camouflage, and various digital materials. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek confirmed the capture was the result of years of meticulous follow-up, stating, 'No matter how much time passes, no traitor will escape justice.'
During a search of Burkay Karatepe's residence in Afyonkarahisar, coordinated by the Muğla Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, authorities seized 98 ata gold coins, 4 half gold coins, 23 quarter gold coins, 33,700 US dollars, 2,620 euros, 13,525 Turkish Liras, 1 gram of narcotics, military camouflage, and numerous digital materials. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek attributed the capture to years of meticulous follow-up, stating, 'No matter how much time passes, no traitor will escape justice.'
During a search of Burkay Karatepe's residence in Afyonkarahisar, authorities seized 98 ata gold coins, 4 half gold coins, 23 quarter gold coins, 33,700 US dollars, 2,620 euros, 13,525 Turkish Liras, 1 gram of narcotics, military camouflage, and various digital materials. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek confirmed the capture was the result of years of meticulous follow-up, stating, 'No matter how much time passes, no traitor will escape justice.'
During the search of Burkay Karatepe's residence in Afyonkarahisar, coordinated by the Muğla Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, authorities seized 98 ata gold coins, 4 half gold coins, 23 quarter gold coins, 33,700 US dollars, 2,620 euros, 13,525 Turkish Liras, 1 gram of narcotics, military camouflage, and various digital materials. Additionally, Justice Minister Akın Gürlek confirmed the capture was the result of years of meticulous follow-up, stating, 'No matter how much time passes, no traitor will escape justice.'
Following his capture, a search of Burkay Karatepe's residence in Afyonkarahisar coordinated by the Muğla Chief Public Prosecutor's Office led to the seizure of 98 ata gold coins, 4 half gold coins, 23 quarter gold coins, 33,700 US dollars, 2,620 euros, 13,525 Turkish Liras, 1 gram of narcotics, military camouflage, and various digital materials. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek confirmed the detention, stating that no traitor will escape justice regardless of time. Additionally, AK Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik commented on the incident, noting that certain focuses continue to protect the FETÖ terrorist network in some countries.
During the search of Burkay Karatepe's residence in Afyonkarahisar, authorities seized 98 ata gold coins, 4 half gold coins, 23 quarter gold coins, 33,700 US dollars, 2,620 euros, 13,525 Turkish Liras, 1 gram of narcotics, military camouflage, and various digital materials. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek confirmed that the detainment was the result of years of meticulous follow-up, stating, 'No matter how much time passes, no traitor will escape justice.'
During a search of Burkay Karatepe's residence in Afyonkarahisar, authorities seized 98 ata gold coins, 4 half gold coins, 23 quarter gold coins, 33,700 US dollars, 2,620 euros, 13,525 Turkish Liras, 1 gram of narcotics, military camouflage, and numerous digital materials. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek confirmed the capture followed years of meticulous investigation, stating that no traitor will escape justice regardless of how much time passes.
During a search of Burkay Karatepe's residence in Afyonkarahisar, authorities seized 98 ata gold coins, 4 half gold coins, 23 quarter gold coins, 33,700 US dollars, 2,620 euros, 13,525 Turkish Liras, 1 gram of narcotics, military camouflage, and various digital materials. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek confirmed the capture was the result of years of meticulous follow-up, stating that no traitor will escape justice.
During a search of Burkay Karatepe's residence in Afyonkarahisar, authorities seized 98 ata gold coins, 4 half gold coins, 23 quarter gold coins, 33,700 US dollars, 2,620 euros, 13,525 Turkish Liras, 1 gram of narcotics, military camouflage, and various digital materials. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek stated that the capture resulted from years of meticulous follow-up, emphasizing that no traitor can escape justice. The operation was conducted under the coordination of the Muğla Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
Following his capture, investigations revealed that Burkay Karatepe lived under the alias 'Salih Usta' in Afyonkarahisar for ten years, working in construction and scrap collection while using a fake ID under the name 'Tayfun Gezveci.' During a search of his residence, authorities seized various currencies, including 33,700 US dollars and 2,620 euros, alongside 98 ata gold coins, 4 half gold coins, 23 quarter gold coins, and 1 gram of narcotics. Additionally, his sister in Eskişehir and his father in Ankara have been arrested for aiding his escape.
Following his capture, authorities conducted a search of Burkay Karatepe's residence in Afyonkarahisar, seizing various gold coins, significant amounts of foreign and local currency, narcotics, military camouflage, and digital materials. Karatepe, who used the pseudonym 'Salih Usta' and a fake identity for ten years, reportedly confessed to his long-standing FETÖ connections, including meeting Fetullah Gülen in Pennsylvania and receiving exam questions via an encrypted drive. Investigations have led to the arrest of his father, his sister, and a suspect who assisted in his concealment.
Authorities seized 98 ata gold coins, 4 half gold coins, 23 quarter gold coins, 33,700 US dollars, 2,620 euros, 13,525 Turkish liras, 1 gram of narcotics, military camouflage, and digital materials during a search of Burkay Karatepe’s Afyonkarahisar residence, while a 50-gram gold bar and assets totaling 6.4 million Turkish liras were also found in his sports bag; additionally, he admitted to using the codename 'Selim' since 1998, receiving exam cheats via encrypted flash drive in 2015, meeting Fetullah Gülen in Pennsylvania in 2012, and living under the alias 'Salih Usta' for a decade with help from neighbors and a Pakistani associate, before being identified by MİT’s facial recognition系统,
Authorities seized 98 ata gold coins, 4 half gold coins, 23 quarter gold coins, 33,700 US dollars, 2,620 euros, 13,525 Turkish liras, 1 gram of narcotics, military camouflage, digital materials, and an additional 50 grams of gold bullion from Karatepe’s residence, with the total value of seized assets reaching 6.4 million Turkish liras; he also used a fake ID under the name 'Tayfun Gezveci,' lived for a decade in Afyonkarahisar under the alias 'Salih Usta,' and was identified by MİT’s facial recognition system after being captured on camera 14 times with 65–83% match rates, leading to his arrest in a joint operation.
Following his capture, Burkay Karatepe confessed to a decade-long concealment in Afyonkarahisar under the alias 'Salih Usta,' working as a scrap collector and selling 3D paintings through a Pakistani national, while using neighbors' internet and a fake ID; authorities seized 98 ata gold coins, 4 half and 23 quarter gold coins, $33,700, €2,620, ₺13,525, 1 gram of narcotics, military camouflage, digital materials, and an additional 50 grams of gold bars from his possession, with the total value of seized assets reaching 6.4 million Turkish liras, and his identification was confirmed by MİT’s facial recognition system after 14 sightings between February and July 2026.
Following his capture, Burkay Karatepe admitted to infiltrating FETÖ in 1998 during middle school, receiving covert training, using the codename 'Selim,' and being provided exam answers via encrypted flash drive in 2015; authorities seized 98 ata gold coins, 4 half and 23 quarter gold coins, $33,700, €2,620, ₺13,525, 1 gram of narcotics, military camouflage, digital materials, and an additional 50 grams of gold bars from his possession, with total seized assets valued at 6,409,000 Turkish Liras, while his father and sister were arrested for aiding his decade-long concealment under the alias 'Salih Usta' in Afyonkarahisar.
Following his capture, Burkay Karatepe admitted to joining FETÖ in 1998 during middle school, receiving training under coded handlers like 'Muhammet Baran' and 'Molla,' and being provided exam answers via encrypted flash drive prior to the 2015 staff officer exam; authorities also seized 98 ata gold coins, 4 half and 23 quarter gold coins, $33,700, €2,620, 13,525 TL, 1 gram of narcotics, military camouflage, digital materials, and an additional 50 grams of gold bars from his residence in Afyonkarahisar, with the total value of seized assets reaching 6,409,000 TL, while his sister and father were arrested for aiding his escape and a suspect was detained for providing him a SIM card.
Following his capture, Burkay Karatepe admitted to infiltrating FETÖ as early as 1998 in Eskişehir, detailed his recruitment by codename 'Selim,' and confessed to receiving coup-era exam answers via encrypted flash drive in Mamak, Ankara; authorities seized 98 ata gold coins, 4 half and 23 quarter gold coins, $33,700, €2,620, ₺13,525, 1 gram of narcotics, military camouflage, digital materials, and an additional 50 grams of gold bullion from his possession, with total seized assets valued at 6.4 million Turkish liras, while his father and sister were arrested in Ankara and Eskişehir for aiding his decade-long concealment under the alias 'Salih Usta'.
Following his capture, authorities seized 98 ata gold coins, 4 half gold coins, 23 quarter gold coins, 33,700 US dollars, 2,620 euros, 13,525 Turkish liras, 1 gram of narcotics, military camouflage, digital materials, and an additional 50 grams of gold bullion from Burkay Karatepe’s residence and sports bag, with the total value of recovered assets reaching 6,409,000 Turkish liras; he also admitted to using a fake ID under the name 'Tayfun Gezveci,' living for a decade in Afyonkarahisar under the alias 'Salih Usta,' and receiving FETÖ training since 1998, including exam fraud in 2015 and a meeting with Fetullah Gülen in Pennsylvania in 2012, where he presented a military knife as a gift.
