Velit Bekdaş served as a Special Operations Police officer under the General Directorate of Security and was martyred at the age of 30 during aerial attacks in Ankara. Throughout his professional career, Bekdaş was assigned to strategic posts in Eastern Anatolia and abroad. He lost his life when the unit he was serving at during the night of July 15 was bombed.^【1】

^{Şehidin Babası} (Anadolu Ajansı)

Velit Bekdaş was born on January 1, 1986, in the Midyat district of Mardin. He was the son of Abdülkadir Bekdaş, married to Meryem Bekdaş, who is originally from Bolu.

His family resides in Midyat, Mardin. He is described as a beloved character by those around him and his colleagues throughout his life.^【2】

As a Special Operations Police officer, Bekdaş carried out strategic assignments across various regions of Türkiye and abroad. After serving in the provinces of Van and Ağrı, he was transferred to Ankara.

Before assuming his post in Ankara, he completed an international mission in Somalia and returned to Türkiye approximately three months before the July 15 coup attempt. At the time of his death, he was serving at the Special Operations Directorate in Gölbaşı, Ankara.^【3】

On the night of July 15, 2016, during the coup attempt initiated by members of the Fetullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), Velit Bekdaş was at his duty station, the Gölbaşı Special Operations Directorate. Warplanes seized by the coup plotters launched aerial attacks against the directorate.

Bekdaş survived the first bomb detonated against the building but was martyred at the age of 30 during the second bombing attack that followed immediately. It is recorded that on the night of the incident, he left his home motivated by a strong sense of duty and commitment to defending the homeland.^【4】

^{The Grave of Martyr Velit Bekdaş} (Anadolu Ajansı)

The body of martyr police officer Velit Bekdaş was transported to his hometown, Midyat in Mardin, and buried on Tuesday, July 19, 2016. A large-scale farewell ceremony was held in Midyat with the establishment of condolence tents and widespread public participation. Bekdaş’s martyrdom caused deep sorrow both in his hometown of Mardin and in Bolu, the hometown of his wife.

The people of Bolu organized a large march from in front of Meryem Bekdaş’s home to the Municipal Square to honor the martyr’s memory and show support for democracy. Commemorative programs and mevlit ceremonies organized by the local community have honored his legacy.^【5】