Triple murder and suicide in Ankara by inmate on prison leave

On February 9, 2026, 35-year-old Recep Cengiz committed a triple murder and suicide in Ankara while on an 11-day leave from prison. Cengiz was serving a four-year sentence for fraud and making armed threats at the time of the incident. In the Kuscagiz district, he killed his 57-year-old mother, Azize, and his 8-year-old daughter, Azra, following an argument. He then placed their bodies in his car trunk and drove to the residence of his former wife, Ukan. Reports state that he disguised himself as a delivery driver and sabotaged the building's electrical system to disable security cameras. He fatally shot his former wife at the entrance of her building before turning the gun on himself. This tragedy has sparked significant backlash from feminist organizations in Turkey regarding the management of prison leaves. Critics pointed out that multiple women were killed last year by inmates who had escaped or were released on temporary leave.