Pilot in Erdoğan assassination attempt captured in Turkey

Turkish intelligence and police forces have apprehended Burkay Karatepe, a former helicopter pilot who allegedly participated in an assassination attempt on President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan during the 2016 coup attempt. Karatepe, who was later expelled from the military, was captured in Afyonkarahisar province.

The breakthrough in locating Karatepe came through the use of surveillance cameras across the city and the National Intelligence Organization's (MİT) facial recognition system. On March 14, a camera near Anıt Park in the city center captured an individual who was identified with 77% similarity to Karatepe, triggering a close pursuit.

Despite being a fugitive since the coup attempt, Karatepe was detected on cameras in various parts of the city 14 times over approximately four months. MİT's facial recognition system consistently estimated the individual's identity as Karatepe, with similarity rates ranging from 65% to 83%. Authorities noted that the former captain, who was also sought on a red notice for being a member of the Fethullah Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), tried to conceal his identity by altering his hairstyle and wearing hats and beanies.

Following technical surveillance that revealed his hideout, Karatepe was captured in a coordinated operation involving MİT, the General Directorate of Security, and the provincial police departments of Afyonkarahisar and Eskişehir. The report highlights that MİT's facial recognition system is not only used in counter-terrorism efforts but also in apprehending individuals wanted for organized crime, drug trafficking, and fraud.