Turkey detains 16 over 2011 death of ex-MIT officer Kaşif Kozinoğlu

September 7, 2026 at 10:04 AM2 min

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Turkish authorities detained 16 people, including 15 prison guards, in the investigation into the 2011 death of former MIT officer Kaşif Kozinoğlu at Silivri Prison. The operation was coordinated by the Silivri Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and the Istanbul Provincial Gendarmerie Command. Ten suspects and six witnesses are being questioned.

Key Facts

16 people were detained, including 15 prison guards and one soldier, in the investigation into Kaşif Kozinoğlu's death.
Kaşif Kozinoğlu died on 12 November 2011 at Silivri Prison while awaiting trial in the Oda TV case.
The guard responsible for Kozinoğlu's ward, Ferhat Veysi Gül, turned up the radio volume instead of responding to the emergency alarm.
Ferhat Veysi Gül fled to France 17 days after the 15 July 2016 coup attempt and is subject to a red notice.
10 people are being questioned as suspects and 6 as witnesses in the investigation.

The Detention Operation

The operation was coordinated by the Silivri Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and the Istanbul Provincial Gendarmerie Command. A special team was led by Captain Kerim Sarısakal, who previously conducted high-profile drug investigations. Of the 16 detainees, 15 were prison guards or former guards at Silivri Prison, and one was a soldier from the period's personnel. The investigation identified 26 guards and one soldier who were on duty at the prison during Kozinoğlu's death.

The Radio Incident

Camera recordings showed that when Kozinoğlu fell ill, the emergency button in his ward was pressed. Guard Ferhat Veysi Gül, who started in May 2011 and was specially assigned to the ward, turned the radio volume to maximum instead of responding. Gül drowned out cries for help with radio and walkie-talkie noise, delaying other staff from noticing the situation. After the incident, Gül hid in cell-type organization houses for six months, then enrolled at FETÖ-affiliated Fatih University and resigned from his post.

Investigation Background

Kozinoğlu was arrested in 2011 as part of the Oda TV case and died shortly before he was to make his defense. The investigation was reopened after contradictions were found between statements of prison and health personnel. Kozinoğlu had said shortly before his death, 'They can make you do anything, including killing.' The investigation is expected to deepen as the judicial process continues.