A lawyer formerly charged in the high-profile murder case of Turkish ultranationalist leader Sinan Ateş has been shot dead in Istanbul, in an apparent drive-by attack. Serdar Ötkem was one of the 22 defendants in the murder trial.

Serdar Öktem was gunned down on Büyükdere Avenue in the Şişli district of Istanbul, outside his office, when assailants opened fire from a vehicle using long guns. Witnesses say at least two people were involved, firing without stepping out of the car. Öktem was taken to a nearby hospital but later died from his injuries. Police sectioned off the area as forensic teams continued their examination late into the night.The killing drew immediate national attention, as Öktem was one of 22 defendants in the ongoing murder trial of Sinan Ateş — a prominent academic and former head of Ülkü Ocakları, also known as the Grey Wolves, a Turkish ultranationalist youth organisation with close ties to the far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).

In a post on X (formerly Twitter), Ateş’s widow Ayşe Ateş commented on the news, saying: “No matter how low or devoid of humanity they are, ensuring the safety of these bloodstained killers is crucial to shedding light on this political assassination. Because they will all speak — and they will name the real criminals who commissioned this political murder.” Her remarks reflected growing frustration among those who believe the case has been hindered........

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