A court in Istanbul has jailed the owner of a hotel and managers from a pest-control firm over the deaths of four members of the Böcek family, who died after falling ill during a holiday in the city. The family had travelled from Germany and stayed at the hotel where pesticide was sprayed.
Judges at Istanbul 30th High Criminal Court sentenced hotel owner Hakan Oğlak to 13 years and 4 months in prison for causing multiple deaths by conscious negligence. The owner of the pest-control company, Zeki Kışı, and his relative Serkan Kışı each received 18-year sentences, while the worker who carried out the spraying, Doğan Caferoğlu, was jailed for 12 years, 2 months and 20 days.
Two defendants who were not in custody, Muhammed Moeen Ud Din Chishti and Rustemshea Batyrov, were acquitted. The court also ordered that a criminal complaint be filed against Halil Duran.
The case centred on the deaths of Servet Böcek, his wife Çiğdem Böcek, and their children Kadir Muhammet Böcek, aged 6, and Masal Böcek, aged 3. They were taken to hospital with suspected poisoning after staying at the hotel and later died.
Relatives of the family asked the court to impose the harshest possible punishment, according to the hearing. The defendants denied that the deaths were caused by the pesticide treatment and asked to be acquitted.
The court said its verdict was based on expert reports, evidence in the file and findings gathered during the trial. The decision brings an end to a case that has drawn attention in Türkiye and Germany because the family had travelled abroad for a holiday and died while staying in tourist accommodation.
Cases involving deaths linked to hotel safety and pest-control practices can have wide implications for the travel industry, particularly when they involve overseas visitors. The ruling is likely to renew scrutiny of hotel chemical use, guest safety checks and oversight of pest-control contractors.
The family had arrived in Istanbul from Germany on 9 November 2025 for a holiday. They became ill at the hotel and died after being taken to hospital, prompting a criminal investigation and court case that concluded on 26 June 2026.
