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A court in Türkiye has sentenced motorcyclist Onur Obut to two years and 11 months in prison over the death of Russian social media personality Tatyana Ozolina, also known as "Russia’s most beautiful biker." Ozolina was killed in a 2024 crash in the southwestern province of Mugla. Courts and experts found Obut primarily at fault in the collision.
The verdict was delivered last week at the Milas 3rd Criminal Court of First Instance. The court ruled that Obut committed the offense of "causing death by negligence." It first set a term of three years and six months, then reduced it to two years and 11 months.
The crash took place on July 21, 2024, at about 5:30 p.m. local time (2:30 p.m. GMT) on the Soke-Milas highway. Ozolina, a Russian citizen and motorcycle enthusiast, had entered Türkiye in the second week of July as part of a world tour. Obut and Sergei Khadrikov traveled with her.
The three riders were heading toward Milas when Khadrikov reportedly fell behind. Obut and Ozolina slowed down to let him catch up, and their motorcycles collided.
Both riders were thrown from their vehicles. After the incident was reported to the 112 Emergency Call Center, medical and police teams were sent to the scene. Ozolina was found to have died at the scene, and the injured Obut was taken to a hospital.
After his treatment, Obut was detained by police. In his statement, he said he had known Ozolina and Khadrikov through social media for a long time and had invited them to tour Türkiye, with the trip starting in Istanbul.
He said he slowed down to wait for Khadrikov and that Ozolina, coming from behind, hit him and he was thrown. Obut was later referred to a courthouse and released under judicial control, a measure that places restrictions on a suspect instead of keeping him in custody.
A report prepared by the Forensic Medicine Institute, based on security camera footage and witness statements, reached a different conclusion. It said Ozolina braked because a truck pulled out in front of her, and that Obut, who did not keep a safe following distance, hit the back of her motorcycle. The report found Ozolina not at fault and Obut primarily at fault.
A separate dispute centers on a camera reportedly attached to Ozolina's helmet. Ali San, the attorney for Ozolina's family, applied to the prosecutor's office after a driver identified as I.K., who witnessed the crash, said in a statement that he had handed the camera to Obut. In court, I.K. said he never saw the camera and that police had misunderstood his earlier statement.
San then filed a criminal complaint against I.K., but the prosecutor's office decided there were no grounds for prosecution. San said footage from the camera has not surfaced to this day.
Speaking after the verdict, San said the family is waiting for the court's reasoned decision, the written explanation of the ruling, before deciding whether to appeal.
He said expert reports obtained throughout the proceedings found Obut primarily at fault and Ozolina without fault. According to San, Obut did not accept fault, did not express remorse, and refused to compensate the family for their material and emotional losses.
San said the family will plan its next steps once the reasoned decision is ready.
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