Suspect in Afyonkarahisar massacre impersonated MIT agent while fleeing
Arif Sefa Ozdemir is accused of killing eight people; officials say he stole cars during escape and was detained in Eskişehir.
Published 06 November, 2026 21:25 — Turkish authorities say the man accused of killing eight people in Afyonkarahisar posed as a member of the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) while fleeing the scene and stole at least two cars during his escape.
Investigators identified the suspect as Arif Sefa Ozdemir. According to officials, he killed eight people with a rifle and, during his flight, boarded a vehicle taken from two young people after telling them he was from MIT. He threatened them with the weapon and confiscated their phones.
Capture after vehicles became stuck
Police reports state the stolen car became stuck in mud while Ozdemir was driving it; he abandoned that vehicle and continued on foot. Before his arrest in Eskişehir, officers say he had taken another vehicle. Authorities captured him in Eskişehir following those incidents.
The eight victims were identified as Ahmet Uzel (57), Bekir Toprak (50), Noman Toprak (56), Sejdi Ahmet Ajdogmush (73), Sati Ajdogmush (68), Ismail Shen (61), Hilal Mete (31) and Ajshe Sena Demir (46). Officials noted that two of the dead were teachers.
Local authorities continue their investigation into the motive and the precise sequence of events. No additional claims of responsibility have been reported, and officials have not released further details about the suspect’s background as of the published time.
Photo: press material from the event
