Mattia Ahmet Minguzzi Murder (2025)

The Mattia Ahmet Minguzzi murder case refers to the stabbing death of 15-year-old Minguzzi in Kadıköy, Istanbul on 24 January 2025 by his peers B.B. and U.B. Minguzzi had argued with the suspects while shopping at the Hasanpaşa Market with his friends; B.B. stabbed Minguzzi multiple times with a knife taken from a stall, while U.B. kicked him while he was on the ground. Severely injured, Minguzzi was taken to hospital and died on 9 February 2025. Following the incident, the suspects were arrested and, after judicial proceedings, both B.B. and U.B. were sentenced to 24 years in prison each for the crime of “intentional murder of a child”.

Photo of Mattia Ahmet Minguzzi and his family – TRT News

Incident and Initial Investigation

On 24 January 2025, Mattia Ahmet Minguzzi went with his friends to the historic Tuesday Market in Kadıköy Hasanpaşa to purchase skateboard equipment. There he encountered the suspects B.B. and U.B., leading to a verbal dispute. After the argument, B.B. stabbed Minguzzi three times in different parts of his body with a knife taken from a stall, while U.B. kicked him after he fell to the ground.

Minguzzi, seriously wounded, was taken to hospital with the help of bystanders but died on 9 February 2025. According to the report of the Istanbul Forensic Medicine Institution, the cause of death was internal organ injury resulting from a stabbing attack.

Security camera footage of the incident generated widespread public reaction on social media, and the suspects were quickly apprehended and detained. Based on the investigation conducted by the Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, an indictment was prepared against B.B. and U.B. seeking prison sentences of between 18 and 24 years for the charge of “intentional murder of a child”.

Expert Report and New Detentions

The expert report prepared after reviewing footage of the incident revealed that two additional individuals were present alongside the suspects B.B. and U.B. The report identified these individuals as M.A.D. and A.Ö. It was noted that before the stabbing, B.B. gestured to U.B. with his hand, then ran toward Minguzzi and stabbed him six times, while U.B. kicked him in the face. Based on these findings, two children named M.A.D. and A.Ö. were taken into custody on 6 May 2025 and detained on 7 May by court order on charges of “aiding in intentional murder of a child”.

In their statements, the two detained suspects claimed the incident was not premeditated and denied the allegations. However, the prosecution’s indictment assessed that the suspects had acted together with B.B. and U.B., facilitated their actions against Minguzzi, and assisted in the commission of the crime.

In the second indictment prepared on 14 July 2025, the prosecution sought prison sentences of between 15 and 20 years for M.A.D. and A.Ö. on charges of “aiding in the intentional murder of a child”. Additionally, photographs were discovered on one of the suspects’ phones showing the four suspects laughing together on the metro on the day of the incident; the images had been taken and subsequently deleted.

Trial Proceedings and Hearings

The murder trial was held at the Istanbul Anatolian 2nd Heavy Juvenile Criminal Court. The first hearing on 10 April 2025 was held behind closed doors due to the young age of the defendants. The court postponed the hearing to 8 May to complete missing procedures and hear witnesses. The second hearing took place on 8 May; the court requested a new expert report and rejected the request for an on-site investigation. The court decided to maintain the detention status of the defendants.

At the hearing on 20 June, numerous members of parliament and civil society representatives attended the court in support of the case. Minguzzi’s father, Andrea Minguzzi, stated outside the courthouse: “These killers must be stopped.” During the same hearing, lawyer Rezan Epözdemir requested an on-site investigation, but the court adjourned the hearing to 17 July citing the need to complete witness testimonies.

According to the Forensic Medicine report dated 29 April 2025, U.B. was 16 years old on the date of the incident. The report, based on bone age examination, determined that the suspect had turned 15 but had not yet completed his 16th year. On 20 May, a separate investigation into the knife used by B.B. resulted in a decision to discontinue proceedings; the Istanbul Criminal Laboratory determined that the knife did not meet the legal definition of a prohibited weapon.

Threats Against the Family and Security Measures

On the first hearing day, 10 April 2025, social media posts containing threats against the Minguzzi family were published. The family’s lawyer, Rezan Epözdemir, stated that his clients had received death threats and that legal proceedings had been initiated as a result. Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya, in an evening statement, confirmed that five individuals responsible for these posts had been taken into custody, including four minors.

The indictment prepared by the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office brought charges against the five minors for “chain threats involving multiple persons with a weapon” and “glorifying a crime and the perpetrator”. On 23 May 2025, the court ruled on the case, applying age-related mitigations and sentencing each individual to 1 year and 8 months in prison for “glorifying a crime and the perpetrator”. M.G. was additionally sentenced to 4 years and 8 months in prison for “threatening with a weapon”.

The court ordered the release of four defendants under judicial supervision, while maintaining M.G.’s detention. The indictment noted that the Minguzzi family had been repeatedly sent photographs of weapons, that threatening messages had been systematically shared, and that security reports related to the incident had been filed.

Minguzzi's suspects being taken to court, 11 April 2025 – Anadolu Agency

Destruction of the Grave and Sentencing

The attack on Minguzzi’s grave occurred on the morning of 10 April 2025, during the first hearing. The family’s lawyer, Epözdemir, stated on their social media account: “Our client’s only child, Ahmet Minguzzi’s grave, was attacked this morning.” Police units dispatched to the scene initiated an investigation. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality reported that the cemetery’s security cameras only covered the area around the caretaker’s cabin and no footage of the incident was available.

The investigation determined that the person who damaged the grave was Duran Aydın. In the indictment prepared by the Bakırköy Public Prosecutor’s Office, the defendant was requested to be tried for the crime of “causing damage to places of worship and cemeteries” with a prison sentence of one to four years.

At the hearing held on 27 May 2025 at the 36th Bakırköy Main Criminal Court, the defendant Duran Aydın stated that he committed the act “in a moment of anger” and expressed remorse. The court sentenced him to three years in prison but reduced the sentence to two years and six months considering his lack of prior convictions. The court decided to maintain his detention status.

Mattia Ahmet Minguzzi’s destroyed grave, 10 April 2025 – Anadolu Agency

Presidential Meeting and Social Impact

On 3 April 2025, the Minguzzi family was received at the Dolmabahçe Office by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç also attended the meeting. President Erdoğan stated: “We will continue to closely monitor the process to ensure justice is served. We will work with determination to prevent such incidents from ever happening again.”

The meeting addressed measures to “ensure children’s safety, prevent similar tragedies, and raise public awareness.” President Erdoğan emphasized that the incident should not be viewed as an isolated case.

The incident also brought back into public debate the issue of the age of criminal responsibility for offenders under 18 in Türkiye. Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç announced that amendments would be made to Article 31 of the Turkish Penal Code following violent incidents involving minors. Tunç stated that the reduction rates for sentences applicable to children aged 15 to 18 would be reviewed and that penalties for crimes targeting children and vulnerable individuals would be increased.

President Erdoğan with Mattia Ahmet Minguzzi’s mother Yasemin Akıncılar Minguzzi and father Andrea Minguzzi, 3 April 2025 – Anadolu Agency

Trial Outcome and Ruling Announcement

A ruling hearing was held on 21 October 2025 at the Anadolu 2nd Serious Juvenile Crimes Court. The defendants U.B., B.B., M.A.D., and A.Ö. participated via the Audio and Video Information System (SEGBİS). Minguzzi’s parents, Yasemin Akıncılar Minguzzi and Andrea Minguzzi, were present in court.

The court sentenced B.B. and U.B. to 24 years in prison each for the crime of “intentional murder of a child” without applying any mitigating factors. The detention status of both defendants was maintained. The other two defendants, M.A.D. and A.Ö., were acquitted of the charge of “aiding and abetting intentional murder of a child” and were released.

Following the hearing, the Istanbul Anadolu Public Prosecutor’s Office announced that legal remedies would be sought against the acquittal ruling. The family’s lawyer, Ersan Barkın, stated that it was positive that two defendants received sentences but argued that the acquittal of the other two, based on insufficient evidence, was legally contentious.

After the ruling was announced, mother Yasemin Minguzzi said: “I now place my trust only in divine justice,” while father Andrea Minguzzi expressed outrage over the acquittals. Some citizens gathered outside the courthouse displayed banners reading “Justice for Mattia Ahmet.”

Yasemin Akıncılar Minguzzi, 22 October 2025 – (Anadolu Agency)

Social and Legal Developments Following the Incident

Following the murder of Mattia Ahmet Minguzzi, issues concerning the recruitment of children into crime, the age of criminal responsibility, and the penal system have once again become subjects of public debate in Türkiye.

Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç, in a statement made in August 2025, said, “Ahmet Minguzzi’s loss and similar incidents have made it imperative that we carefully examine cases involving violence committed by offenders under the age of 18.” Tunç indicated that amendments would be made to the Turkish Criminal Code and other relevant laws to prevent children from being drawn into crime. It was announced that the reduction rates for sentences applicable to children aged 15 to 18 would be reviewed, juvenile offenders would be subjected to rehabilitation programs within educational institutions, and social investigation reports would be made mandatory.

Chronological Summary of the Cases

• 24 January 2025: Day of the incident; Minguzzi was stabbed at the Kadıköy Hasanpaşa Market.
• 9 February 2025: He died in hospital.
• 10 February 2025: His funeral was held and he was buried in Istanbul.
• February 2025: B.B. and U.B. were arrested under the main investigation.
• April 2025: The first hearing took place; threats occurred and a grave attack was carried out.
• 1 May 2025: The expert report was completed.
• 6–7 May 2025: M.A.D. and A.Ö. were taken into custody and subsequently arrested.
• 8 May 2025: The second hearing; the expert report was revised and the request for further investigation was denied.
• 20 May 2025: A decision of non-prosecution was issued regarding the knife used by B.B.
• 23 May 2025: A ruling was announced concerning five child suspects who had threatened the family.
• 27 May 2025: Duran Aydın was sentenced to two years and six months in prison in the case of grave desecration.
• 20 June 2025: The third hearing was held.
• 17 July 2025: The fourth hearing continued under a new presiding judge.
• 14 July 2025: An indictment was prepared against two suspects who had provided assistance.
• 21 October 2025: A verdict was delivered in the main case; B.B. and U.B. were sentenced to 24 years in prison.