Gaziantep murder trials proceed as suspects face charges

Two separate criminal trials are underway in Gaziantep, Turkey, concerning fatal shootings. In one case, a gunfight at a street wedding in Aydıntepe Mahallesi on 24 November 2023 left Murat Kara dead. Three defendants – Emin U., Salih U. and Duran U. – denied responsibility, claiming the incident was random. The court kept them in custody, ordered expert analysis of video footage and postponed the hearing to a later date.

In the second case, 32‑year‑old Ali Haydar Çoban was shot dead while in a vehicle at the Gaziantep Organized Industrial Zone. Defendants Burhan Ş. and Orkun Ş. appeared before the 5th Heavy Penal Court, with Orkun alleging a drug‑debt dispute with the victim's associate. The victim’s family and the complainant demanded harsh penalties as the trial continued.

Both hearings underscore ongoing judicial proceedings over violent crimes in the southeastern city.