Key Witness in Halit Yukay Case: Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ to Be Heard in Court

A significant development has occurred in the case concerning the death of businessman Halit Yukay, whose boat was found in pieces off the coast of Erdek, Balıkesir, leading to his demise. In the investigation aimed at clarifying the incident, the court has decided to hear renowned actor Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ, who had the last phone conversation with Yukay, as a witness.

Details of the Incident and Investigation Process

Halit Yukay, who went missing with his boat named 'Graywolf' while en route from Yalova to Bozcaada, was found lifeless at a depth of 68 meters off Erdek after a 19-day search operation. Following the recovery of his body, the investigation examined the radar and camera records of the bulk carrier 'Arel 7', which is alleged to have collided with Yukay's boat. Forensic reports indicated that the friction marks detected on the bow of the ship and the paint samples taken from the boat fragments were consistent.

Investigation into the 'Arel 7' Ship and its Crew

The captain of the 'Arel 7', Cemal Tokatlıoğlu, was initially arrested but later released. The indictment seeks a prison sentence of 3 to 9 years for the captain, and between 1 to 3 years for the ship's officer and crew for the charge of 'causing death due to failure to fulfill the obligation of aid and notification'.

Court Proceedings and Decision

During the trial, which lasted approximately 11 hours at the Erdek 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance, tensions occasionally flared between the lawyers of the parties. Captain Tokatlıoğlu, in his statement, denied the collision allegations and claimed he gave his testimony under pressure. The court ruled to maintain the travel ban on the captain and decided to issue a letter rogatory to have Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ testify as a witness. Halit Yukay's wife, Rania Stypa Yukay, will also be heard via the Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBİS). The hearing was adjourned to a later date after the completion of pending documents.