Accomplice of Erdoğan assassination plot suspect detained in Türkiye

An associate of a suspect linked to the attempted assassination of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during the failed 2016 coup attempt has been detained in the southwestern province of Muğla, Turkish media reports.

According to TRT Haber, the suspect, identified as Özcan Atlı, was taken into custody for allegedly assisting Burkay Karatepe, a member of the FETÖ organisation who had previously been arrested in connection with the assassination plot targeting Erdoğan during the July 15, 2016 coup attempt.

The investigation found that Atlı had provided Karatepe with his SIM card and helped him evade authorities by hiding in a residential complex built for victims of the devastating earthquakes in southern Türkiye.

The July 15, 2016 coup attempt was carried out by elements within the Turkish military seeking to overthrow the government of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. The plot failed after widespread public resistance, the actions of security forces and loyal military units, leaving more than 250 people dead and over 2,000 injured.

During the coup attempt, a team of special forces was dispatched to the Aegean resort of Marmaris, where Erdoğan had been staying on holiday, with orders to capture or kill the president. Erdoğan left the hotel shortly before the commandos arrived. Several police officers protecting the site were killed in the ensuing clashes.

Turkish authorities blame the failed coup on the Fethullah Terrorist Organisation (FETÖ), led by U.S.-based cleric Fethullah Gülen, who died in October 2024. Ankara has since conducted extensive investigations and operations against suspected members and supporters of the group, while FETÖ has consistently denied involvement in the coup attempt.

By Vugar Khalilov