Fugitive Convict Turns Out to Be Social Media Influencer
A former village guard leader, sentenced to 12.5 years in prison over a murder case in Mardin and operating as a fugitive while producing social media content, was captured in Adana.
It was determined that Şükrü Akçay, a former village guard leader whose 12.5-year prison sentence was upheld for a murder committed in Mardin in 2021, filmed videos on social media under a different identity reaching broad audiences while he was a fugitive, and was caught in a safehouse where he was hiding in Adana.
Debt Dispute Murder
In a hostility that broke out between two families on November 21, 2021, over a debt issue in the Çamyurt neighborhood of Mardin's Midyat district, Musa Çelik, who worked as a shepherd, was shot and killed with a long-barreled weapon.
Trial and Prison Sentences
As a result of the gendarmerie's work, the-then security village guard leader Şükrü Akçay and his brothers M.A. and Veysi Akçay were detained and arrested. In the trial held at the Midyat Heavy Penal Court, M.A. was acquitted.
The court panel sentenced Veysi Akçay to 1 year and 8 months in prison for 'Armed threat', while sentencing former village guard leader Şükrü Akçay to 12.5 years in prison for 'Intentional killing'.
Supreme Court Decision and Flight
The conviction against Şükrü Akçay, who was released during the trial to be tried without detention, was upheld by the Supreme Court of Appeals and his sentence became final.
Social Media Influencer Status
It was determined that Akçay, against whom an arrest warrant was issued, filmed videos and made posts using a different name in order to become a social media celebrity during the period he was a fugitive.
Operation at the Safehouse in Adana
The Provincial Directorate of Security Public Order Branch Homicide Bureau teams determined that the fugitive convict was hiding in Adana and initiated technical and physical follow-up.
As a result of the research conducted by homicide detectives, it was ascertained that the suspect was hiding in a house in the Yeşilyurt neighborhood of Seyhan district.
Handed Over to Prison
Şükrü Akçay, who was detained in the operation carried out, was sent to prison after the completion of his legal procedures at the police department and the courthouse.