Five detained in reopened probe into 2015 rifle attack on Fenerbahçe team bus

Five individuals have been detained in a renewed investigation into a 2015 rifle attack on a bus transporting members of the Turkish football club Fenerbahçe. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek confirmed the arrests during a press briefing on May 27, revealing that the probe had been reactivated as part of a broader government effort to resolve long-standing unresolved criminal cases. The attack occurred on April 4, 2015, following a 4-1 victory by Fenerbahçe over their rivals Trabzonspor in a Süper Lig match. As the team bus traveled from Trabzon to the nearby Black Sea province of Rize’s airport, gunfire erupted while the vehicle crossed a viaduct. The driver sustained serious injuries when a bullet struck his face, forcing the bus to halt abruptly. The location of the attack, on a viaduct, placed all passengers in grave danger. Fenerbahçe’s former head coach İsmail Kartal described the harrowing moment in detail during a commemorative event marking the seventh anniversary of the incident in 2022. He recalled the conditions at the time: light rain had fallen, and a doctor and bodyguard were seated beside the driver. Both individuals helped stabilize the injured man as he fought to maintain control of the vehicle. “Hit the brakes, hit the brakes!” they urged, according to Kartal. Inside the bus, panic ensued as the vehicle swayed violently for approximately 100 to 150 meters before finally coming to rest. Kartal noted that his familiarity with firearms allowed him to quickly assess the type of bullets used. The first shot struck the front windshield of the bus, penetrating the double-glazed panel and becoming lodged in the second layer. A second bullet, however, passed through a single-pane side window and struck the driver in the head. The injury caused severe bleeding, prompting widespread fear among the passengers. Despite initial efforts to investigate the attack, no perpetrators were identified. Now, authorities claim new evidence has emerged, leading to the detention of five suspects. According to Gürlek, searches and property seizures have taken place at the suspects' residences as part of the ongoing inquiry. “This investigation aims solely to uncover, through solid evidence, the individual or individuals responsible for this brutal act committed 11 years ago,” Gürlek stated. “Our commitment to combating violence in sports remains unwavering, irrespective of the target, be it a team, athlete, or fan base.” The decision to reopen the case is part of a larger initiative by the Justice Ministry to address unresolved crimes. Launched shortly after Gürlek assumed office in February, the program has prompted the re-examination of numerous high-profile cases that had gone cold over the years. These include the 1993 assassination of journalist Uğur Mumcu, the 1990 killing of journalist Çetin Emeç, the 1987 murder of writer, politician, and theologian Bahriye Üçok, and the 2020 disappearance of university student Gülistan Doku. Gürlek previously disclosed that nearly 700 case files are currently under review as part of this initiative. In another related development, a renewed probe into the disappearance of Gülistan Doku six years ago resulted in the detention of 12 individuals earlier this month. The Fenerbahçe attack stands as one of the most notorious incidents in recent Turkish sports history. It not only endangered the lives of athletes and staff but also sparked national outrage over the lack of accountability. The current developments suggest that authorities are determined to close this chapter definitively, offering closure to victims and their families.