Dog trainer who filmed model’s fatal balcony fall rather than help her cleared of murder

Reanna Smith

A celebrity dog trainer who filmed his Ukrainian model girlfriend’s final moments rather than helping her as she dangled from their balcony has been acquitted by a court.

Burak Ercan was accused by prosecutors of aggravated murder and deprivation of liberty in relation to the fatal incident, which took place at his luxury condo in Istanbul in June 2021.

The court heard that Ercan and his stunning girlfriend Anzelika Srabiants had gone out for dinner and, after consuming alcohol, had argued during the taxi ride home.

After getting back to the flat, the couple continued to argue — allegedly while Ercan was in the bathroom.

The 33-year-old model went out onto the balcony of the condo before the defendant allegedly emerged from the bathroom to discover her hanging from the railing.

In a bizarre move, the defendant then whipped out his phone to take a video of his helpless girlfriend dangling from the balcony, instead of going to help her.

He claimed that moments later he stopped filming and rushed to grab Anzelika’s hand.

But he was too late and the defendant said that Anzelika fell to her death from the balcony after losing her grip.

Police were baffled during questioning when Ercan told them he had taken the video with the intention of obtaining proof that he had not pushed her from the balcony.

During the trial at the Istanbul Anatolian 3rd High Criminal Court, lawyers representing the victim’s family showed messages allegedly proving that Ercan had beaten Anzelika.

Prosecutors had demanded aggravated life imprisonment plus up to five years in jail for Ercan, prisoners handed this sentence in Turkey can only be paroled after serving at least 36 years, or 40 years if given more than one sentence.