Expert Report Reopens Homicide Probe into Former Minister's Death; Suspects Include Alihan Kuriş

An investigation into Alihan Kuriş and other suspects has been reclassified as a homicide probe following a new expert report concerning the death of former Transport Minister Arif Ahmet Denizolgun. The Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced that the investigation is now proceeding under the charge of "homicide."

The decision comes after an expert report dated August 25, 2026, prepared by an ATK specialist based on a review of autopsy video recordings, assessed Denizolgun's death as "suspicious." This contrasts with an earlier report from October 17, 2016, by the Forensic Medicine Institute's Morg Specialization Department, which concluded the death was natural, caused by a brain hemorrhage.

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The investigation into Alihan Kuriş and other suspects is continuing within the scope of the crime of 'homicide' following the determination of 'suspicious death' in the expert report dated 25/08/2026.

Furthermore, the prosecution is pursuing a separate investigation into officials at the Forensic Medicine Institute for alleged "forgery of official documents." This stems from their initial responses to the prosecutor's office's requests for the autopsy video recording on February 24, 2026, June 1, 2026, and July 14, 2026. They repeatedly stated that "no such recording exists," only to later claim on August 18, 2026, that a recording was indeed available. The investigation will continue with further evidence collection, including examination of excavation results, correspondence with the Forensic Medicine Institute, records from the Riva Police Center, HTS records, and information from the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

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We are continuing the investigation into the doctors who signed the report of 'natural death due to brain hemorrhage' and the administrators of the Forensic Medicine Institute who responded to our requests by essentially saying 'no such recording exists'...