Istanbul murder trial verdict

The Istanbul Anadolu 27th High Criminal Court has delivered its verdict regarding the murder of 21-year-old amateur footballer Kubilay Kaan Kundakçı, who was killed in a shooting in the Ümraniye district on March 19, 2026.

Alaattin Kadayıfçıoğlu was sentenced to life imprisonment for ‘intentional homicide.’ The shooting occurred while Kundakçı and rapper Vahap Canbay were waiting in a vehicle near a music studio. The indictment suggested the attack was linked to an attempt by Canbay to reconcile with his former partner, singer Aleyna Kalaycıoğlu.

In the ruling, the court acquitted Kalaycıoğlu of charges including ‘instigating intentional murder’ and ‘failure to report a crime,’ ordering her release along with five other defendants. The court found no conclusive evidence to support the allegations against her, despite Kalaycıoğlu having been detained for approximately 210 days. The reasoned decision noted that while the encounter was triggered by Kalaycıoğlu, there was no evidence in communications suggesting a plan to target Kundakçı or witnesses, nor any evidence of hostility between Kalaycıoğlu and the deceased.

Other defendants received varying sentences. Metin Kadayıfçıoğlu was sentenced to five years in prison, while Engin Taşkıran, Mustafa Rece, and Hüseyin Can Avcı received sentences of approximately two years and were released under judicial control measures. The Kundakçı family expressed their dissatisfaction with the acquittal and intends to appeal the decision.