Yalova lawyer Zekeriya Polat’s killer sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment

The Yalova 1st Heavy Penal Court sentenced Hamza Haznedar to aggravated life imprisonment for the murder of Social Security Institution (SGK) lawyer Zekeriya Polat. Haznedar was also given three years’ imprisonment for illegal firearm possession and a fine of 30,000 lira. The killing occurred on 7 January 2026 when Haznedar entered the SGK regional office, opened fire on Polat and left the lawyer fatally wounded despite emergency treatment.

The trial was held with Haznedar participating via the SEGBİS video system from a prison in Sakarya. Polat’s family, colleagues, and representatives of the Turkish Bar Association, led by President Erinç Sağkan, attended the hearing. Sağkan described the verdict as a step toward ending violence against lawyers and urged the parliament to adopt stronger protective measures for legal professionals.