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A Yapi Kredi Bank branch in Diyarbakir was targeted by gunfire on Monday, the latest in a string of attacks hitting businesses linked to Koc Holding. The shooting follows similar weekend attacks on Otokoc facilities in Istanbul and Antalya.
The violence erupted after controversial remarks made over the weekend by the conglomerate's honorary chairman, Rahmi Koc.
Unidentified assailants opened fire on the bank branch in Sur district, local police confirmed. Crime scene teams found that four shots had been fired at the building, three of which hit the branch.
Monday's attack followed two similar incidents reported a day earlier. Gunmen opened fire on Otokoc's headquarters in Istanbul's Maltepe district and separately targeted an Otokoc branch in Antalya.
Authorities detained three suspects in connection with both attacks, while efforts to identify those responsible for the Diyarbakir shooting remain ongoing.
The incidents came amid backlash over remarks made by Rahmi Koc during the opening ceremony of the Izmir American Hospital on Saturday, where he told a joke involving a Kurdish woman that critics argued demeaned both women and the ethnic group.
The Izmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office subsequently launched an ex officio investigation into Koc on allegations of "publicly degrading a segment of society."
Justice Minister Akin Gurlek also backed the probe, arguing that statements undermining human dignity are unacceptable regardless of a person's wealth, title or status.
Koc later issued a public apology through Koc Holding's social media accounts, saying his remarks were not intended to target any identity.
"I sincerely apologize for my remarks, which were not intended to target any identity. I would like to express my regret sincerely," he said.
Koc Holding has not publicly commented on the attacks, while investigators have yet to disclose any information regarding a possible motive behind the shootings.
However, several Turkish media outlets reported that the attacks may have been linked to Rojhat Ertekin, the alleged leader of the Ertekinler organized crime group. Ertekin, also known as Serdar Ertekin, was detained in Greece earlier this year and is reportedly the subject of an Interpol red notice.
Koc Holding is Türkiye's largest industrial and services conglomerate, with operations spanning automotive, energy, finance, consumer durables and retail sectors.
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