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8 clusters · 59 sources · 54 days · First seen about 2 months ago · Last updated 2 days ago

Infant disappearance investigation in Sivas, Turkey

Overview

Authorities in Sivas, Turkey, continue to search for 11-month-old Büşra Balıkçı, who disappeared from a tent in the Divriği district’s İncedere Plateau on September 10. Search operations involving AFAD, gendarmerie commandos, AI-supported drones, tracking dogs, and cadaver dogs have covered approximately 45 square kilometers, but no traces of the infant have been found.

The investigation has been marked by conflicting testimonies from the mother, Elif Balıkçı. She initially suggested the child was kidnapped or sold, but later alleged that the father, Yusuf Balıkçı, murdered the infant and buried her in a nearby area. While the father denies these accusations, the investigation has led to the detention of 12 suspects and the arrest of six individuals, including the parents and several relatives, on charges such as intentional homicide and concealing evidence.

A recent development involving the victim’s siblings—who are currently under state protection—alleged that a man named Mehmet K. took the baby to Diyarbakır in a vehicle to settle a debt. Although Mehmet K. was apprehended following a photo identification, he denied the allegations. After an investigation into HTS records yielded no criminal evidence, he was released under judicial control.

Following 57 days of searching, the case remains focused on the infant's disappearance and suspected homicide. Investigators previously recovered bloody and torn clothing, including a t-shirt, bodysuit, and diaper, approximately 2 to 3 kilometers from the family's tent. These items have been sent to the Forensic Medicine Institute to confirm if they belong to the infant and to analyze potential blood evidence. The Divriği Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office has imposed a publication ban on the case.

Entities

Divriği · Yusuf Balıkçı · Büşra Balıkçı · Elif Balıkçı · Sivas

Claims

What the coverage asserts, and how many sources carry each claim.

[● 14 SOURCES] Six people have been taken into custody.
[● 10 SOURCES] The baby's bloody and torn clothing was found approximately 2 kilometers away from the tent.
[● 3 SOURCES] The number of people detained in connection with the investigation has risen to nine.
[● 3 SOURCES] The number of people detained in connection with the investigation reached 10.
[● 3 SOURCES] Twelve suspects, including the baby's parents, were detained as part of the investigation.
[● 3 SOURCES] Clothing and a diaper believed to belong to the baby were found 3 kilometers from the family's tent.
[● 15 SOURCES] Search and rescue operations are continuing on the ground and via air using advanced devices.
[● 12 SOURCES] Jandarma is investigating an allegation that the baby was handed over to someone else in exchange for money.
[● 11 SOURCES] The 11-month-old baby disappeared while sleeping in a tent on September 10.
[● 7 SOURCES] Elif Balıkçı later changed her statement, alleging Yusuf Balıkçı killed the baby and left her in a rocky area.

Timeline

2 days ago

[CRIME] 2 sources
Search continues for missing 11-month-old baby in Sivas
Authorities in Sivas, Turkey, are continuing search efforts for 11-month-old Büşra, missing for 57 days, amid an investigation involving the arrest of her parents.
25 days ago

[CRIME] 2 sources
Sivas search continues for missing 11-month-old baby
Search teams using AI-supported drones are scouring a 45-square-kilometer area in Sivas, Turkey, for missing 11-month-old Büşra Balıkçı as investigations into her disappearance continue.
about 1 month ago

[CRIME] 7 sources
Sivas search continues for missing 11-month-old infant
Authorities in Sivas, Turkey, are conducting an intensive search for 11-month-old Büşra Balıkçı, who went missing in September. Six family members, including the parents, have been arrested.
about 1 month ago

[CRIME] 4 sources
Sivas investigation continues into disappearance of 11-month-old Büşra Balıkçı
Authorities in Sivas, Turkey, have arrested the parents and four relatives of 11-month-old Büşra Balıkçı following her disappearance. Investigations into potential murder and debt-related kidnapping continue.
about 2 months ago

[CRIME] 11 sources
Sivas search continues for missing 11-month-old baby
Authorities in Sivas, Turkey, are using drones and search dogs to find 11-month-old Büşra Balıkçı, who went missing in September. Six suspects, including the infant's parents, have been arrested.
about 2 months ago

[CRIME] 12 sources
Sivas investigation continues into missing 11-month-old baby
Authorities in Sivas, Turkey, are investigating the disappearance of 11-month-old Büşra Balıkçı. Several family members have been arrested following conflicting claims of murder and child trafficking.
about 2 months ago

[CRIME] 17 sources
Sivas investigation: Parents arrested in missing 11-month-old baby case
Parents and relatives have been arrested in Sivas, Turkey, following the disappearance of 11-month-old Büşra Balıkçı and conflicting allegations of murder made by the mother.
about 2 months ago

[CRIME] 37 sources
Sivas investigation: Missing 11-month-old baby's disappearance
Authorities in Sivas, Turkey, are investigating the disappearance of 11-month-old Büşra Balıkçı. Following conflicting claims of kidnapping, sale, and murder, nine people have been detained.

Sources

aksam.com.tr · aksiyon.com.tr · anlatilaninotesi.com.tr · aydinlik.com.tr · baskentgazete.com.tr · benguturk.com · bizimsivas.com.tr · boldmedya.com · bursahakimiyet.com.tr · cukurovagazetesi.com · cumhuriyet.com.tr · etemadonline.com · eurodressage.com · f5haber.com · gazetedamga.com.tr · gazetepencere.com · gercekgundem.com · gzt.com · haber.sol.org.tr · haber16.com · haber3.com · haber7.com · haberaktuel.com · haberport.com · haberturk.com · halktv.com.tr · ilerigazetesi.com.tr · ilkhaber-gazetesi.com · karar.com · karsmanset.com · konhaber.com · konyapostasi.com.tr · m.takvim.com.tr · marasbugun.com.tr · medyaege.com.tr · medyagazete.com · mersinhaber.com · negarmag.com · odatv.com · odatv4.com · ortadogugazetesi.com · ozdiyarbakirgazetesi.com · panama24horas.com.pa · rokna.net · sabah.com.tr · safakgazete.com · sivasirade.com · sondakika.com

This summary has been updated 11 times: see revision history