New Ruling in the Halit Yukay Case: Court Rejects Arrest Demand, File Sent to Forensic Medicine High Council

In the case over the death of businessman and Mazu Yachts founder Halit Yukay, whose vessel was found shattered in the Sea of Marmara, the Erdek 2nd Criminal Court of First Instance has rejected the arrest demand. Per 7deniz Haber's hearing report, the family lawyer argued that the defendants left the scene without notifying authorities and attempted to destroy evidence. The court nonetheless adjourned the hearing to 10 July to complete missing documentation and ordered the file to be referred to the Forensic Medicine High Council.

The hearing was attended by Yukay's wife Rania Stypa Yukay, his father Muhittin Can Yukay and other family members. The family lawyer told the court that the defendants failed to fulfil the obligations expected at the time of the incident — calling shore assistance, warning other vessels and immediately notifying the Coast Guard / VTS — and therefore the incident was not solely an accident in nature; the question of whether there was intent needed to be investigated. The defence countered that the event was a collision caused by a sudden violent wave + reduced visibility, and that there was no intent to flee.

Notably for the yachting sector and the Sea of Marmara navigation safety debate, the case has now been referred to the Forensic Medicine High Council: if its conclusion differs from the lower council's report, the case could produce precedent-setting jurisprudence on insurance (P&I + hull), charter party liability allocation and the obligation to keep AIS active on coastal / open-sea pleasure craft. Mazu Yachts, founded by Yukay, is a significant Turkish maker in the mid- to upper-segment motor yacht export market; the trajectory of the case is being followed in the sector for what it may establish on duty to render assistance at sea and chain-of-evidence protocols. The next hearing is scheduled for 10 July 2026 at the same court in Erdek.

Key Takeaways:
1. Erdek 2nd Criminal Court rejected the arrest demand in the Halit Yukay case; file referred to the Forensic Medicine High Council, hearing adjourned to 10 July 2026.
2. Family lawyer: defendants left the scene, failed to notify authorities and attempted to destroy evidence — the incident is not merely an accident; intent must be investigated.
3. Defence: a collision caused by a sudden violent wave + reduced visibility; no intent to flee.
4. The High Council's forthcoming report could set precedent on P&I + hull insurance, charter party liability allocation, and the obligation to keep AIS active on coastal / open-sea pleasure craft.
5. Mazu Yachts, founded by Halit Yukay, is a significant Turkish mid-/upper-segment motor yacht exporter; the sector is watching the case for what it establishes on duty to assist at sea.