"Beat & Release": 18-year "Hedgehog" Murder Case Solved - CSI Zonguldak

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 10 March 2026)

                           The resemblance is uncanny.

An indictment has been prepared against four suspects, two of whom 

are in custody, for allegedly murdering Ahmet Yılmaz, nicknamed 'Kirpi' 

(Hedgehog), whose bones were found in the Ulutan Dam in 2010, two 

years after he disappeared in Zonguldak. The indictment seeks a life 

sentence for the crime of 'intentional murder in complicity'. It states that  

Yılmaz was strangled in a car, his body was hidden in a sack in an 

abandoned illegal coal mine, and then thrown into the dam lake.

In 2010, human bones were found near the Ulutan Dam in Zonguldak. 

In 2012, DNA tests identified the bones as belonging to Ahmet Yılmaz, 

a married man with five children who had disappeared in 2008. It was 

stated that Ahmet Yılmaz's bones were found by a fisherman on 

December 9, 2010, when the water level in the dam receded. At the 

time of the investigation, a decision of non-prosecution was issued in 

2012, based on the DNA results, on the grounds that there was 

"no evidence that Ahmet Yılmaz had been murdered."

However (!), in 2023, in the organized crime case in Zonguldak, in 

which Emircan İ. (45) is accused of being the leader, the non-prosecution 

decision was overturned and the case was reopened after a defendant 

named H.P. confessed to killing Ahmet Yılmaz by shooting him in the 

head and throwing him into the dam, based on a statement he had heard 

but described as if he had lived through it.

The Public Security Branch Directorate teams took over the case of 

Ahmet Yılmaz's death in 2025, as there were no injuries from cutting, 

stabbing, or gunshot wounds on his body. As part of the investigation 

coordinated by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, statements were 

taken from 20 people. In this context, coded notes exchanged between 

the suspects during their time in prison in 2009 under the 'criminal 

organization' case were also deciphered. 

It was determined that those involved in the murder made false 

applications and statements to conceal his death, such as 'Ahmet lives 

in Istanbul. I bought drugs from him, he lives in a hotel.' It was revealed 

that Emircan İ., Tarık Y. (50), Köksal A. (48), and Baycan İ. tried to 

conceal the murder in this way for many years.

Based on the statements taken, it was determined that İlker E. 

explained that he committed the murder to instil fear in his friends (!). 

Following this, İlker E., who was already in custody for another 

crime, was questioned. On November 11, 2025, İlker E. was also 

arrested in connection with the 'Kirpi Ahmet' murder.

Police teams subsequently conducted technical surveillance, phone 

tapping, and HTS (cellphone)base station analysis. On February 22, 

the teams carried out an operation and detained Emircan İ., Köksal A., 

and Tarık Y.

Within the scope of the case, the possibility emerged that Ahmet 

Yılmaz was murdered due to suspicion that he would report other 

gang members in a theft incident that occurred during an internal 

gang dispute. It was learned that Emircan İ. claimed that he argued 

with and strangled Yılmaz because of an affair between the deceased 

Baycan İ. and Yılmaz's wife.

On February 26, the suspects were brought to court as part of the 

investigation. Emircan İ., who was charged with "intentional 

homicide in complicity," was placed under house arrest because he 

was not in the vehicle on the day of the incident. Köksal A. and 

Tarık Y. were arrested. İlker E., who was already in custody for this 

crime, was released under judicial supervision.

The Zonguldak Public Prosecutor's Office has prepared an indictment 

regarding the incident. The indictment states that Ahmet Yılmaz was 

strangled to death on November 1, 2008, after an argument while 

driving around with his friends Baycan İ., Köksal A., and Tarık Y., 

following the news that he would report the gang. 

The indictment further states that Emircan İ. explained that the 

argument stemmed from a relationship between Baycan İ. and Yılmaz's 

wife; Köksal A. exercised his right to remain silent and denied the 

accusations; and Tarık Y. confessed that Baycan İ. strangled "Kirpi 

Ahmet" in the car, they put the body in a sack, first dumped it in an 

abandoned illegal coal mine, and then later threw it into the Ulutan 

Dam. The four suspects, who were also taken to the crime scene for 

on-site investigation, are facing life imprisonment for "intentional 

homicide in complicity."

"Flood & Release": Flamingos Flock to New Feeding Ground Created by Heavy Rains, in Söke

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 9 March 2026)

    "Word-of-beak" prompted the birds to head to Söke.

In Söke district of Aydın, fields that turned into lakes due to the 

overflowing of the Büyük Menderes River following heavy rainfall 

have become a popular spot for flamingos. The flamingos in the flooded 

fields were filmed with a drone.

Due to the excessive rainfall that has affected the city in recent days, 

frequent floods are occurring in the Büyük Menderes River, submerging

many wheat fields in the Nalbantlar neighborhood. The flooding turned 

the fields into lakes, creating interesting scenes. Numerous flamingos 

flocked to the flooded wheat fields.

The flamingos in the area were filmed by a person using a drone. The 

footage shows the flamingos feeding in the water-covered fields, 

highlighting the unique beauty the floods added to nature. The colorful 

images quickly gained attention on social media.

The Menderes River's path, with Söke at left.

"Beat & Release": Traffic Hooligans Pay Dearly, Thanks to New Harsher Law, in Istanbul

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspapar, 8 March 2026) 

If you have to ask how much the fine is, you can't afford it.

Two drivers and one passenger involved in a traffic altercation in 

Maltepe, Istanbul, were fined a total of 540,000 TL (about $12,250). (!)

The two suspects, who were taken into custody, are expected to be 

referred to the courthouse.

The incident occurred yesterday on Bağdat Avenue. A dispute between 

two drivers in traffic quickly escalated into a fight. A passenger in one 

of the vehicles also became involved in the brawl. After footage of the 

incident was shared on social media, Istanbul Police Department teams 

launched an investigation.

Investigations revealed that those involved in the fight were the driver 

V.A. (40), the passenger in the vehicle Ö.Ç. (32), and the driver of the 

other vehicle, M.E.S. (27). Ö.Ç. and M.E.S., who were found to have 

assaulted each other, were quickly apprehended and taken into custody 

by police teams. A total administrative fine of 540,000 TL was imposed 

on the suspects under the relevant articles of the new Highway Traffic 

Law that just went into effect on 27 February. 

It was learned that Ö.Ç. and M.E.S., who are in custody, will be referred 

to the courthouse after their procedures at the police station on charges of 

'intentional injury', 'threat', and 'endangering traffic safety'.

"Pirouette & Release": Construction Worker by Day, Teaches Ballet at Night, in Ayvacık

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Haberler.com website, 7 March 2026)

                      Heavy lifting and light dancing.

Berkay Dal, who lives in Ayvacık district of Çanakkale, works as a 

construction machine operator during the day and teaches ballet in the 

evenings. He maintains his connection to art by pursuing both 

professions simultaneously, thanks to his conservatory education. 

Dal, who graduated from the Turkish Folk Dance Department of 

Burdur Mehmet Akif Ersoy University State Conservatory in 2023 

and who also holds a ballet instructor certificate, moved to Ayvacık 

district of Çanakkale from Balıkesir about 3 years ago.

He entered the construction sector through his friend Ali Çakır, who 

works in excavation, and gradually learned to operate construction 

machinery. While actively working as a construction machine operator 

on construction sites, Dal started giving ballet lessons at a private art 

center in the district in the evenings to stay connected to art. Giving

ballet lessons to 15 students two days a week, Dal has also remained 

true to his artistic field.

"I'm trying to improve myself in the fields of ballet, performing arts, 

lighting, and makeup."  Dal stated that his juggling two different 

professions is met with surprise by those around hım, but the positive

feedback he receives motivates him.

"Fleece & Release": Elderly Man Avoids Phone Scam Only Because His Cell Died and ATM Malfunctioned, in Burdur

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 6 March 2026)

                  Next time, say "I don't speak Turkish"... 

Ahmet S. (78), a retired teacher in Burdur, was saved from being 

scammed when his mobile phone ran out of battery and the ATM 

malfunctioned. Ahmet S. said, “I was about to send my salary to 

them through the ATM when my phone ran out of battery. Our good 

money did not go to bad hands”

Ahmet S., received a phone call around 4 PM yesterday from someone 

who claimed he could earn two to three times the amount he sent to a 

specific account. Initially disbelieving the caller, who said he was

calling from Istanbul, Ahmet S. eventually became convinced and went 

to a bank branch to complete the transaction.

Suspicious of Ahmet S.'s behavior, the bank security guard and employee 

warned him he was being scammed and advised him not to proceed. 

Ahmet S. left, but returned to the branch a short time later, attempting 

to send money to the account provided by the caller. He was again warned 

and sent away by bank staff. When he returned for the third time, the 

staff alerted the police.

...and get this app for your phone.

While a police team was dispatched to the bank branch, Ahmet S. 

attempted to use an ATM. However, the ATM malfunctioned, and his 

cell phone battery died. Unable to complete the transaction, Ahmet S. 

was helped by the police and his close friends. After being convinced he

was being scammed, Ahmet S. left the bank. It was learned that Ahmet S. 

did not file a complaint.

Ahmet S. said, “We had been talking on the phone for a while. He said 

I would earn more money if I sent 11,000 lira. The man gave me 

confidence. I genuinely wanted to deposit the money. I receive my 

retirement pension from another bank. I was about to withdraw my 

pension and send it via ATM when my phone battery died, the ATM 

malfunctioned, and the security guard, police officers, and our close 

friends dissuaded me. Our honest money didn't go to waste.”

"Drive & Release": Teenagers Built Diesel-engine Car Out of Recycled Waste, in Samsun

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(Hürriyet Newspaper, 5 March 2026)

       High school kids nicknamed it "chick magnet". 

Miraç Diril, a 10th-grade student at Samsun Technopark High School, 

along with two schoolmates, built a 7.5-horsepower car using recycled 

waste materials. Expressing pride in their project, Diril said, “We 

gradually developed and completed the vehicle over approximately 

three months. Our car has a 7.5-horsepower diesel tiller engine, and 

we are continuing to improve it.”

Students learned what NOT to do from this classic.

"Flood & Release": Rain Drenches Antalya-Konya Highway, Creating a Surfing Sensation

türkçe links to original Turkish article

(T24 website, 27 February 2026)

                            Ferry leaves in 10 minutes...

Following heavy rainfall, a large section of the Konya-Antalya 

highway was flooded. Aerial footage showed that the road was 

completely submerged at one point, transforming into a lake-like scene. 

Following these images, a citizen was seen engaging in water sports 

on the flooded highway.

Following heavy rainfall in the Eynif Plain area, a large section of the 

road was submerged. Aerial footage showed that the road disappeared 

at one point, replaced by a vast pool of water.

Surf's up!

In footage shared on social media, a citizen named İhsan Bayık is seen 

jetsurfing on a road covered in water. Bayık stated, "I am currently on 

the Konya-Antalya highway, heading from Konya towards Antalya. 

This is the Eynif Plain. After 38 years, nature has reclaimed what 

belongs to it. It's unbelievable, but I'm jetsurfing on the highway." 

The footage quickly spread on social media, sparking both surprise 

and debate about the flooded road.