Lawyer Afşin Hatipoğlu Receives Death Threats as Police Meeting Is Cancelled

Lawyer Afşin Hatipoğlu announced in a statement on October 20, 2026, that he had received death threats and demands for 5 million Turkish lira while appearing on Sözcü TV. His account has raised questions about the response of law enforcement after he said his attempt to meet with Istanbul Police following the threats ended without a meeting.

According to Hatipoğlu, the incident began on Friday evening while he was appearing on Sözcü TV. He received a call from a phone number beginning with +63 but could not answer because he was live on air. He later received a message naming an individual alleged to be a manager of the Daltonlar criminal organization and demanding that he leave the broadcast.

After blocking the number, Hatipoğlu received another call from a number beginning with +62. The caller allegedly introduced himself and claimed to have obtained permission from the leader of the Daltonlar organization. According to Hatipoğlu, the caller said he had imposed a 5 million lira penalty on him and threatened to kill him if he failed to pay.

Criminal Complaint Filed and Protection Requested

Hatipoğlu stated that he filed a criminal complaint with the relevant documents in his possession and requested protection following the threats. He also said he contacted Istanbul Police through an acquaintance serving in law enforcement because he wanted to discuss the matter with officials.

According to his statement, an appointment was initially arranged for the same day. However, he was subsequently contacted by phone and told that he should explain the matter at a local police station. His appointment was then cancelled.

Police Response Raises Questions After Death Threat Allegation

One of the most significant aspects of Hatipoğlu’s statement is that his planned meeting with Istanbul Police was cancelled after he said he had received death threats, filed a criminal complaint and requested protection.

The account raises questions about what action law enforcement authorities have taken in response to the alleged threat. Hatipoğlu’s statement, however, did not provide information about why the appointment was cancelled, what security measures were being considered or how his protection request had been handled.

In the absence of an independent statement from the police regarding the matter, no definitive conclusion can be drawn about the reason for the cancellation or the steps taken by the authorities.

“My Life Is Under Threat”

Hatipoğlu said he was sharing the details of his experience with the public without adding any political or personal commentary. He stated:

“I was threatened using the name of one of the country’s most dangerous criminal organizations. I was told to leave the television broadcast and that I would be killed if I did not pay the demanded 5 million lira.”

At the end of his statement, Hatipoğlu emphasized that his life was under threat, adding that the state was the only authority capable of protecting him and the public was his only source of support.

The incident described by Hatipoğlu leaves several questions unanswered, including the status of his protection request and why his scheduled meeting with Istanbul Police was cancelled following the alleged death threats.

Kaynak: https://x.com/AfsinHatipoglu