Police & jail misconductOversight & ethics enforcement
Turkish authorities have released no cause of death for Özcan Aksu, who died 12 days after being jailed in Istanbul with visible injuries
Confidence: Corroborated · 2 sourcesTurkey · Oct 6, 2026
Subject of this story
Istanbul Police Department (İstanbul Emniyet Müdürlüğü)
Ministry of Justice (Turkey)
What happened
Özcan Aksu was detained by plainclothes police in Istanbul on 22 June 2026, jailed pending trial on 23 June and died in hospital on 5 July. His sister reported bruising, a swollen eye and an injured lip at a prison visit on 26 June. Authorities said he tried to escape during a hospital transfer and resisted an officer; his lawyers say no location, recording or documentation was disclosed. As of early August no cause of death or official explanation for the injuries had been made public, and the family has asked for an independent forensic examination and preservation of police, prison and hospital records.
Sources (2)
BianetFamily and lawyers call for his death to be clarified; officials alleged an escape attempt and resistance during hospital transfer without evidence or footage.
Turkish MinuteNo definitive cause of death or official explanation for his injuries has been made public.
Response
Istanbul Police Department (İstanbul Emniyet Müdürlüğü)
Not yet contacted
Not yet contacted for this story.
Ministry of Justice (Turkey)
Not yet contacted
Not yet contacted for this story.
What happened next (0)
No outcome recorded yet.