Cemal Alpaslan sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment for murder in Diyarbakır

The Diyarbakır 7th High Criminal Court has sentenced Cemal Alpaslan to aggravated life imprisonment for the premeditated murder of 22-year-old İlayda Alkaş. The court also imposed a 2.5-year prison sentence and a 20,000 TL fine for possession of an unlicensed firearm.

The incident occurred on the evening of July 15, 2025, in the Yenişehir district of Diyarbakır. Alkaş was returning home with her family from a friend's birthday celebration when she was targeted by Alpaslan, with whom she had previously lived under a religious marriage. According to the indictment, Alpaslan waited for her at a local coffeehouse before attacking her; medical reports confirmed she sustained 12 gunshot wounds. Despite being rushed to Selahaddin Eyyubi State Hospital, Alkaş succumbed to her injuries.

Alpaslan, who fled the scene following the attack, was apprehended five months later at the Habur Border Gate in Şırnak. During the trial, defense attorneys requested leniency based on provocation, but the court denied any reduction in the sentence for the intentional killing.