Story By Marija Stojkoska
News Editor Ajda Ender
A groom has been accused of killing his wedding photographer to steal his car.
Wedding photographer Ferhat Acik poses in undated photo. He was kidnapped and murder by men attempting to steal money from him. Note: Private picture. (Newsflash/NX)
The 21-year-old wedding photographer Ferhat Acik was killed in Arnavutkoy district, Istanbul, Turkey, on 12th July, after he was allegedly targeted by Okan K., the groom whose wedding photographs he had taken two months earlier.
Picture shows one of the suspects, in photo taken by the victim. Wedding photographer Ferhat Acik was kidnapped and murder by men attempting to steal money from him. Note: Private picture. (Newsflash/NX)
Ferhat’s brother Habib reported him missing on 13th July after he could no longer reach him, leading police to launch a major investigation into his disappearance.
Wedding photographer Ferhat Acik poses in undated photo. He was kidnapped and murder by men attempting to steal money from him. Note: Private picture. (Newsflash/NX)
Investigators traced Ferhat’s final movements and found he had met Okan, his brother Rıdvan K., and their friend Poyraz K. after being asked to carry out an outdoor photography job.
Wedding photographer Ferhat Acik poses in undated photo. He was kidnapped and murder by men attempting to steal money from him. Note: Private picture. (Newsflash/NX)
Police later alleged that Okan had selected Ferhat as a target because he believed the photographer was wealthy.
Wedding photographer Ferhat Acik poses in undated photo. He was kidnapped and murder by men attempting to steal money from him. Note: Private picture. (Newsflash/NX)
During questioning, Okan reportedly admitted planning the attack, saying: “He had a car at a young age. We thought he was rich and planned to take his money.”
Wedding photographer Ferhat Acik poses in undated photo. He was kidnapped and murder by men attempting to steal money from him. Note: Private picture. (Newsflash/NX)
He allegedly told police they had tried to abduct Ferhat a month earlier but failed because he arrived at the meeting place with friends.
Wedding photographer Ferhat Acik poses in undated photo. He was kidnapped and murder by men attempting to steal money from him. Note: Private picture. (Newsflash/NX)
The suspects planned a second attempt, this time executing their trap by calling Ferhat with a fake commercial booking.
Picture shows the victims car stolen by the suspects. Wedding photographer Ferhat Acik was kidnapped and murder by men attempting to steal money from him. Note: Private picture. (Newsflash/NX)
Knowing he would pack his high-end photography gear for a shoot, Okan reportedly called him to say they had no vehicle and asked Ferhat to pick them up in his car.
Picture shows the suspects. Wedding photographer Ferhat Acik was kidnapped and murder by men attempting to steal money from him. Note: Private picture. (Newsflash/NX)
According to his reported statement, Okan then asked Ferhat to stop at a scenic location and take his photograph before the others allegedly attacked him from behind.
Okan told police: “Just as he was taking my photograph, the others grabbed him from behind and neutralised him.”
Investigators said the suspects took Ferhat’s phone and forced him to open his banking applications, but allegedly found there was no money in his accounts.
Okan reportedly told police: “When we accessed his accounts, we saw he had no money. Then we decided to take his car.”
Police said Ferhat was forced to contact his brother and arrange for his identity card to be handed over so the suspects could attempt to take control of his vehicle.
Okan reportedly admitted: “We stabbed him and killed him. Because he shouted too much, we cut his throat so his voice would stop.”
Ferhat’s body was later found buried in Arnavutkoy after police searched the area with a detection dog named Zeyna and aerial surveillance equipment.
The investigation also revealed that the suspects allegedly used Ferhat’s phone to send messages to his family pretending he was still alive.
Ferhat’s cousin Dincer Gun said there had been no previous dispute between the photographer and Okan.
He said: “There was no hostility between them. They had never had a problem before.”
After the killing, Okan allegedly attempted to take ownership of Ferhat’s car by going to a notary office and pretending to be him.
Okan reportedly admitted changing his appearance to resemble Ferhat and trying to obtain a vehicle sales power of attorney.
According to reports, the attempt was stopped when the notary’s biometric fingerprint verification system detected that Okan’s fingerprint did not match Ferhat’s identity record, blocking the transaction.
The suspects had allegedly also taken Ferhat’s professional photography equipment, including cameras and lenses, which were later reportedly given to relatives as gifts.
Police said Okan later sold Ferhat’s mobile phone to a phone shop for TRY 9,000 (GBP 140).
The suspects were later tracked to Van in eastern Turkey, where Okan was arrested while allegedly trying to escape towards the Iranian border, while Rıdvan, Poyraz and four other suspects were also detained.
Authorities said the suspects admitted the killing during questioning and were later referred to judicial authorities.
(Marija Stojkoska/Newsflash)
