The well-known Turkish actor Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ went to the courthouse in the town of Erdek this morning to testify before the judge as a witness in the trial following the discovery of the body of missing businessman Halit Yukay, who died in August last year after sailing his yacht in the Sea of Marmara.
The trial continues in Turkey into the tragic death of businessman Halit Yukay, who was reported missing on 4 August 2025 when he set sail in his yacht ‘Graywolf’ en route from the coast of Yalova to the island of Bozcaada, and whose lifeless body was finally found on 23 August 68 metres under the sea, after the remains of his boat were discovered on 5 August.
In a major new development in the trial of the case – which attracted a great deal of public attention in Türkiye – actor Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ came in person to the court in Erdek, in the Turkish province of Balıkesir, as a witness. According to media outlets such as the daily Cumhuriyet, the court decided to hear Tatlıtuğ’s testimony because he was a close friend of Yukay’s and the actor allegedly met him shortly before his tragic disappearance.
Halit Yukay, 43, owner of the Turkish yacht design and manufacturing company Mazu Yachts, disappeared in August after sailing his yacht into the Sea of Marmara; it was his own family who reported him missing after failing to contact him, and an intense search began in which the well-known interpreter of Turkish series Kıvanç Tatlıtuğ, a personal friend of the businessman, even publicly asked for help in locating him in the hope that he would be found alive after being shipwrecked.
The subsequent investigation showed that 61-year-old Cemal T., captain of the bulk carrier ‘Arel-7’ – which was sailing on the same route as the Turkish businessman – inadvertently collided with his yacht, sinking it and causing his death. Although the ship’s captain was initially arrested and sent to prison awaiting trial, he was later released on bail after his defence filed an appeal.
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Edited and reviewed by:
Pablo Gómez is a specialist in Turkey and has been editor-in-chief of Hispanatolia since 2011. He has been analysing current affairs and geopolitics in Turkey and the surrounding region since 2006.
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