Actor Ufuk Bayraktar Faces Up to 11 Years in Prison

Turkish actor Ufuk Bayraktar is set to stand trial on charges of attempted extortion and assault, accused of demanding “protection money” from a business owner in Istanbul and attacking him after being refused. Prosecutors are seeking a prison sentence of 7 years and 6 months to 11 years and 3 months for Bayraktar and his associate Volkan Akbaş, both charged with “attempted extortion at a workplace by multiple persons.”

“Pay 25,000 Lira Weekly for Protection”

According to the indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, the incident occurred in Beyoğlu on August 20, 2025. The complaint was filed by Ahmet P., the owner of a local business, against Bayraktar and Akbaş.

The document alleges that Bayraktar and his associate visited the establishment, sat inside for a while, and then asked to meet the complainant’s brother. When Ahmet P. later joined them, Bayraktar allegedly showed a message on his phone reading “The cards are being reshuffled — we’re in the game too” and told him:

“They’re trying to take over this place. Let the young men from our neighborhood protect it. Pay them ₺25,000 a week. They have a WhatsApp group, the whole neighborhood is theirs. I’m just saying this so these boys can earn some money.”

When the business owner refused, Bayraktar allegedly lowered his demand to ₺10,000 per week, but Ahmet P. again declined, reportedly saying that “the police would protect him.” The indictment states that Bayraktar then left the venue, warning, “We’ll talk later.”

The Assault and Intimidation

Roughly a month later, on August 20, Bayraktar and Akbaş allegedly returned. Witnesses reported that Bayraktar confronted the business owner angrily, saying he wanted to talk. When Ahmet P. refused, Bayraktar allegedly shouted, “I won’t let you stay here — you’ll see,” before punching him in the face.

After the victim called the police, the second suspect Volkan Akbaş allegedly tried to pressure him to withdraw his complaint, saying, “Drop your complaint, I’ll take care of it.”

Retraction and Indictment

Although Ahmet P. later told investigators that he may have “misunderstood” Bayraktar and formally withdrew his complaint, prosecutors decided to proceed with criminal charges, citing sufficient evidence of coordinated intent and action by the suspects.

The indictment concludes that Bayraktar and Akbaş acted together in an attempt to extort money under the guise of protection, constituting the crime of “attempted extortion by multiple individuals at a workplace.”

Trial Set for January 2026

Bayraktar, known for roles in acclaimed Turkish films and TV series such as Deli Yürek, Dağ, and Kabadayı, will face trial before the Istanbul Heavy Penal Court on January 14, 2026. Both defendants could receive prison sentences ranging from 7 years and 6 months to 11 years and 3 months if convicted.

The case has drawn widespread attention in Türkiye’s entertainment industry and on social media, where users expressed shock over the allegations against the well-known actor.