Semih Terzi, one of the prominent figures of the coup attempt on July 15, 2016, came to public attention due to the events that transpired during the coup attempt, after serving for many years within the Turkish Armed Forces. Terzi, who was involved in the operation targeting the Special Forces Command during the coup attempt, was shot and killed by Master Sergeant Ömer Halisdemir as he entered the headquarters. So, who is coup plotter Semih Terzi, and where is he buried? Who are Semih Terzi's wife and children?
Semih Terzi was born in Erzincan in 1967. After completing his civilian high school education, he pursued a military career and graduated from the Army War College in 1989, subsequently beginning his service in the Turkish Armed Forces.
Throughout his professional life, Terzi served in various units, later completing the Army War Academy and earning the title of staff officer. During this period, he served at different command levels and advanced his career.
Promoted to the rank of colonel in 2009, Semih Terzi served as the private secretary to the then Chief of General Staff, General Işık Koşaner, during this period. His name was also mentioned in allegations related to the leaking of certain audio recordings that became public at the same time. However, there is no finalized court decision on this matter that has been disclosed to the public.
Terzi, who was promoted to the rank of brigadier general as the first in line under the decisions of the 2014 Supreme Military Council, assumed command of the First Special Forces Brigade.
During the coup attempt on the night of July 15, 2016, official information released to the public indicates that he was part of the "Yurtta Sulh Konseyi" (Peace at Home Council).
On the night of the coup attempt, Semih Terzi traveled from Silopi to Diyarbakır, where he then reached Akıncılar Air Base in Ankara with approximately 40 special forces personnel via a military cargo plane. Subsequently, he proceeded by helicopter to the Special Forces Command Headquarters in Gölbaşı.
Around 02:15, as he entered the headquarters, he was shot by Master Sergeant Ömer Halisdemir, acting on the orders of the then Special Forces Commander, Major General Zekai Aksakallı. He died following the incident.
Semih Terzi's body was taken to his hometown, Erzincan, after his death.
According to information released to the public, Erzincan Municipality did not permit the burial of the body in the municipal cemetery due to his role in the coup attempt. Consequently, his family buried the body in their private garden.
Semih Terzi was married to Nazire Terzi and was a father of two children.
Following the coup attempt, legal proceedings were initiated against his wife, Nazire Terzi, on charges of "membership in an armed terrorist organization." Public court decisions revealed that she was sentenced to 6 years, 10 months, and 15 days in prison and dismissed from public service as a result of the trial.
It is known that one of Semih Terzi's children is named Faruk Terzi. Verified detailed information regarding his other child is not available in publicly accessible sources.