The mysterious disappearance of a truck driver from Ankara’s intercity bus terminal has unveiled a chilling story involving cross-border crime, clandestine burials, and suspected ties to conflict zones in Syria.
Binali Aslan, a 65-year-old father of three working as a transporter at Ankara AŞTİ terminal, vanished on September 21, 2025, after taking on a large family for a trip to Mersin. According to investigators, Aslan picked up the 14-member Aksoy family but later shut off his phones, prompting his relatives to file a missing person report.
Vehicle Tracked into Syria
Police traced Aslan’s vehicle from Ankara to Mersin and then Hatay, where it was discovered that the passengers had crossed illegally into Syria. With suspicions of organized crime, the case was escalated to the National Intelligence Organization (MİT), giving the investigation an international dimension.
Following intelligence efforts, Turkish authorities located the family in Idlib, Syria. An operation carried out by security forces resulted in a deadly confrontation: eight family members — including the parents, Vahdi and Meryem Aksoy, along with six of their children — were killed. Six others were captured and brought back to Turkey for questioning.
Confession and Grisly Discovery
The detained suspects confessed to murdering Aslan and burying his body in a forested area near Tarsus. Subsequent searches led to the recovery of his remains.
A Family with a Dark Past
Court documents revealed the Aksoy family was registered in Talas, Kayseri, and held dual citizenship in France and Turkey. Having lived in France until 2023, they later relocated to Turkey, residing in a caravan next to the Ökkeşiye Shrine in Gaziantep’s Nurdağı district.
In July 2025, the family was arrested after attacking gendarmerie officers when their vehicle, involved in a traffic accident, was found to be smuggled. They served a month in prison. Investigations also pointed to their possible links with conflict networks in Syria.
Shocking Child Burial
During prior searches near the shrine, authorities uncovered a clandestine grave. Forensic analysis confirmed the remains belonged to a 12- or 13-year-old child from the Aksoy family, reportedly disabled. The child’s death had not been reported, and the family had secretly buried the body. The cause of death remains under investigation.
Ongoing Probe
The shocking revelations surrounding the Aksoy family — from murder and illegal crossings to suspicious ties abroad — have deepened the investigation. Authorities continue to examine whether the family had wider connections to armed groups in Syria.
