Prosecutor arrested for shooting judge: Motive revealed

WISE NEWS PRESS / ISTANBUL, TURKIYE

An Istanbul prosecutor was formally arrested for attempted murder on Wednesday after shooting a female judge in her office following a domestic dispute involving marriage disagreements and career-related concerns.

The suspect, identified as 33-year-old Prosecutor Muhammet Çağatay Kılıçarslan, allegedly targeted Judge Aslı Kahraman (45) in her office at the Istanbul Regional Court of Justice. According to judicial sources, the suspect fired multiple shots, one of which injured the judge, before he was subdued by a bystander. The victim has since been discharged from the hospital, while the suspect remains in custody as the investigation into the unprecedented courthouse violence continues.

Details of the office shooting

The incident occurred within the 23rd Penal Chamber of the Istanbul Appeals Court. Reports indicate that Kılıçarslan fired twice; one bullet struck the judge while another hit a wall, narrowly missing a presiding judge in the adjacent room. A second attempt to fire was reportedly thwarted by Y.K., an inmate working as a tea server at the courthouse, who intervened and wrestled the firearm away from the prosecutor until security arrived.

During the initial hearing at the Istanbul Courthouse in Çağlayan, the Special Crimes Investigation Bureau presented evidence suggesting that the attack was premeditated. The suspect was subsequently sent to the criminal judgeship of peace, where he was remanded in custody on charges of "attempted willful murder."

Conflict over marriage and career

Legal documents filed during the arrest process revealed that the suspect and the victim had been in a relationship since late 2023. Disagreements reportedly surfaced regarding the future of the relationship. Kılıçarslan stated in his testimony that he wished to end the partnership due to concerns over their age difference and the potential negative impact on his professional career, whereas the victim reportedly favored marriage.

The prosecution's referral letter noted that the suspect had sent several threatening messages and images to the judge in the days leading up to the shooting. Investigators also highlighted that the suspect refused to provide the password for his mobile phone, leading authorities to believe that further evidence of intent may be contained within the device.

Judicial reaction and safety concerns

The shooting has raised serious questions regarding security protocols for high-ranking judicial officials within Turkish courthouses. The prosecution emphasized that the suspect’s intent was to kill, and only the timely intervention of the witness Y.K. prevented a fatality.

"The Department of Justice is taking all necessary steps to ensure the safety of our judicial members," a spokesperson mentioned, though no official statement has been released regarding a change in courthouse security measures. The case is being handled under a "catalog crime" status, which allows for stricter detention conditions given the gravity of the attempted offense and the risk of tampering with evidence.

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