Serdar Sertçelik, a secret witness in the high-profile trial of a Turkish crime boss, has contradicted his previous remarks about police forcing him to implicate prominent members of the ruling party while in Hungarian custody, claiming to possess sensitive information about Turkish politicians that puts his life in jeopardy, according to an exclusive report by the T24 news website.
Sertçelik, who was involved in the trial of organized crime boss Ayhan Bora Kaplan, was apprehended in Hungary in May under an INTERPOL Red Notice. Initially, he accused the police chiefs conducting the Kaplan investigation of coercing him into implicating key Turkish political figures, including close associates of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.
In his latest statement to a Budapest court, Sertçelik contradicted his earlier claims and claimed he has confidential information that could impact multiple individuals involved in Turkish politics. He alleged that his violation of house arrest and subsequent shooting at a restaurant in November last year was an assassination attempt. Sertçelik contended that despite promises of protection, the security measures failed to prevent the attack, leading him to flee Turkey and seek safety in Hungary.
Sertçelik’s escape from Turkey has stirred controversy, with allegations that he was pressured to add the names of prominent politicians to his testimony. His revelations have already led to the suspension and arrest of several high-ranking police officers, including the Ankara deputy chief of the organized crime department, Şevket Demircan.
During a recent hearing in Hungary, the Budapest court requested additional information from Turkish authorities regarding the charges against Sertçelik, potential sentences and the specifics of his protection status at the time of the alleged assassination attempt. The court also sought assurances that Sertçelik would not face torture or inhumane treatment if extradited to Turkey.
In response the Ankara 32nd High Criminal Court clarified that Sertçelik was removed from the witness protection program due to his violation of the terms. The Turkish authorities reiterated that Sertçelik would receive a fair trial in line with the country’s commitments under the European Convention on Human Rights.
Sertçelik’s claims of an assassination attempt were investigated by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office. According to the investigation, the incident occurred during a dispute at a restaurant, where Sertçelik was present with friends. The prosecutor’s report indicated that there was no evidence to suggest that Sertçelik was the specific target of the shooting.
Despite these findings, Sertçelik maintains that his life is at risk if he is returned to Turkey, citing the sensitive nature of the information he possesses.
The outcome of the extradition request still remains uncertain, the T24 report says.
Sertçelik’s case is tied to broader allegations of corruption within Turkey’s political and judicial systems. In wiretapped conversations Sertçelik accused former justice minister Bekir Bozdağ of receiving €400,000 to facilitate his early release from prison. Bozdağ has strongly denied these allegations, promising to donate all his assets if the claims are proven true.
The Kaplan investigation has exposed deep-seated corruption within Turkey’s law enforcement and political arenas and highlighted ongoing power struggles between the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and its ally, the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP). Kaplan, who was arrested last September, faces charges of leading a criminal organization involved in various violent and financial crimes.