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The legal case regarding the fatal traffic accident in Kemerburgaz, Istanbul, in which Oguz Murat Aci lost his life, has taken a dramatic turn. It has been revealed that Aci's wife, Sukriye Aci, has withdrawn her complaint against Timur Cihantimur, the teenager responsible for the crash, and his mother, Eylem Tok.
Timur Cihantimur, who caused the accident, fled the country with his mother and is currently held in the United States pending extradition to Türkiye.
A written petition submitted to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office by Sukriye Aci and four others injured in the crash stated they had withdrawn their complaints.
The document, filed by her lawyer Ahmet Aslan, noted that the material and moral damages had been compensated by Timur's father, Bulent Cihantimur.
“Our material and moral losses have been compensated,” the petition emphasized.
It also stated that no further participation in any possible legal proceedings against Ayse Ceren Saltoglu, Adem Kiziltepe, Bulent Cihantimur, or Eylem Tok would be pursued.
Oguz Murat Aci's father, Ozer Aci, reacted with anger, saying the family had not collectively dropped the case. Speaking to NTV, he said:
“We, as his parents, have not and will not give up on this case. The legal process continues with our complaint still in the file. We will fight until this becomes a precedent-setting case.”
He sharply criticized the withdrawal, suggesting his daughter-in-law was misled by lawyers and implying a financial motive:
“I am not someone who would sell my son’s blood for a few million. Was it worth it? One day her son will ask: ‘Did you sell my father's life to buy a car?’ This is unacceptable.”
Sukriye Aci confirmed that she withdrew her complaint. Speaking to Ekol TV, she denied receiving an extravagant sum, saying:
“We are not talking about an extraordinary amount like $3.8 million. I simply received what I was entitled to in a compensation case. I withdrew for the sake of my own well-being, knowing that the public trial would proceed.”
Her lawyer, Ahmet Aslan, announced plans to take legal action against defamatory remarks online. He stated that his client had been misled in previous negotiations and decided to independently pursue a legal path to protect her and her son’s rights.
He added, “She was forced to begin a new life with her one-year-old child after her husband’s death. Per Turkish Law (Article 35/A of the Attorneyship Law), an agreement was reached through formal negotiations, and the damages were compensated.”
Aslan stressed that this withdrawal does not end the legal process:
“The offenses in question are not dependent on a complaint, and the judicial process will continue.”
On 1 March 2024, three ATV vehicles were travelling in Eyupsultan when one broke down. While it was being repaired on the roadside, a speeding vehicle driven by 17-year-old Timur Cihantimur struck the group.
Five people were injured, and Oguz Murat Aci died at the scene.
Timur fled the country with his mother, first to Egypt, then to the US. Both are now detained in Boston awaiting extradition to Türkiye.
Legal actions and detentions
Several others have also faced legal scrutiny:
Justice Minister Yilmaz Tunc announced that U.S. authorities had approved the extradition of Eylem Tok and Timur Cihantimur in February 2025.
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