Footballer Uğurcan Bekçi murder case: 'Illegal betting' claim emerges

A legal proceeding has commenced in Turkey concerning the fatal shooting of footballer Uğurcan Bekçi, who died three days after being wounded in a violent altercation. The incident, which took place on the night of December 17, 2025, involved a dispute between two groups that rapidly escalated into a gunfight.

Bekçi, 27, was shot along with two other individuals, E.K.B., 27, and İ.A., 31. While the other two victims were discharged from the hospital after treatment, Bekçi succumbed to his injuries. Authorities arrested Furkan K. and Ertuğrul S. in connection with the shooting, and they have been remanded in custody pending trial. Emre S. was released under judicial control.

The first hearing at the Kocaeli 3rd High Criminal Court revealed a complex narrative from the accused. Ertuğrul S., one of the detained suspects, claimed the conflict originated from a dispute over bank accounts being used for illicit purposes. He alleged that İ.A. offered him 40,000 Turkish Lira per company account for legal business, but later revealed the operation involved illegal online betting.

Ertuğrul S. further stated that he was owed 230,000 Turkish Lira and was threatened when he sought repayment. He recounted being introduced to an individual who allegedly said, "That money is blood money; we killed families for this money." Ertuğrul S. also claimed he shot at the legs of İ.A. and E.K.B. when he saw the handle of a weapon, and suggested Furkan might have shot Bekçi. He asserted his intention was not to kill and that he was the victim, as his company accounts were frozen.

Furkan K., the other detained suspect, stated he went to the meeting because his friend Ertuğrul S. claimed to be receiving threats. He indicated that Ertuğrul S. was going to the meeting to try and resolve the situation. The defense presented by Furkan K. suggests he was present to support his friend and not as an aggressor.