--- title: Mustafa Zorova slug: mustafa-zorova-74c92 url: /detay/mustafa-zorova-74c92 type: biography language: English entity: primary: Mustafa Zorova type: biography categories: - name: Intelligence, Security, and Defense slug: istihbarat-guvenlik-ve-askeri-calismalar url: /kategori/istihbarat-guvenlik-ve-askeri-calismalar - name: Politics And International Relations slug: siyaset-ve-uluslararasi-iliskiler url: /kategori/siyaset-ve-uluslararasi-iliskiler - name: Biography And Autobiography slug: biyografi-ve-otobiyografi url: /kategori/biyografi-ve-otobiyografi tags: - shahid - coup - Gazi author: Gözde Cabadak created_at: 2026-08-03T18:45:48.360189+03:00 updated_at: 2026-08-03T18:45:48.360200+03:00 image: https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2026/08/03/mFhw6fjROnkfHbnVbI26xOOsfPaJvlcu.webp --- # Mustafa Zorova > Mustafa Zorova (1946–2025) is a Turkish citizen who was injured in Ankara Kahramankazan during the July 15 2016 coup attempt and awarded the title of gazi ## KURE Information Cards ![](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2026/08/03/QOAZDScdBZ9Iho7L3Lv89lZljh1S5m7D.png) *Mustafa Zorova* | Field | Value | |-------|-------| | Date of Birth | 1 January 1946 | | Place of Birth | Kahramankazan, Ankara, Türkiye | | Date of Death | 23 February 2025 | | Place of Death | Kahramankazan, Ankara, Türkiye | | Date of Burial | 24 February 2025 | | Place of Burial | Kahramankazan Asri Mezarlığı | | Title | 15 July Martyr | ## Article Content [YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YIT5ZKRkaY) *Heroes of July 15 Mustafa Zorova - Episode 48 (TRT Nostalji)* Mustafa Zorova is a Turkish citizen who was injured during the failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016, and was awarded the title of gazî. ### Early Life and Family Structure Mustafa Zorova was born on January 1, 1946, in the Kahramankazan district of Ankara. A follower of Islam, Zorova had been retired from his professional life.[^1] Mustafa Zorova was married to Sevim Zorova[^2] and had nine children and fifteen grandchildren from this marriage. Throughout his life, Zorova witnessed major political events in Türkiye, including the military coups of 1960 and 1980.[^3] ### Events of July 15, 2016 and the Injury Process On the night of July 15, 2016, around 02:30, following calls broadcast from mosques and municipal loudspeakers, Zorova went outside and joined a group of approximately 100 people gathered in front of the Kahramankazan Municipal Building, proceeding together to the Akıncı 4th Main Jet Base Command.[^4] ![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2026/08/03/lGPO2mD1wgAWJHhofhbMMMEL30hRqjqX.png) *Mustafa Zorova (Anadolu Ajansı)* The group, stationed at the base entrance, aimed to prevent the takeoff of military aircraft. When the coup participants opened fire on civilians, three bullets struck Zorova’s leg.[^6] After being wounded, Zorova remained at the scene for some time and attempted to move on his own before being transported to a hospital with the assistance of other personnel and medical staff present at the site.[^7] ### Treatment Process and Health Condition Following the injury, Zorova was first taken to Sincan State Hospital and, due to the severity of his condition, was subsequently transferred to Gazi Hospital and then Ankara Numune Hospital. He entered a prolonged and ongoing treatment process due to severe damage to his leg.[^8] He underwent a total of 54 surgical operations. In the final years of his life, his mobility was significantly restricted, and he required a cane to walk. In addition to complications arising from his leg injuries, he also battled kidney-related illnesses.[^9] ### Death and Burial Mustafa Zorova passed away at the age of 79 on February 23, 2025, at his residence in the Kahramankazan district of Ankara.[^10] ![Image](https://cdn.t3pedia.org/media/uploads/2026/08/03/pJynS8YrRCuHzXTcZl3bMwSfyC6MA7b6.png) *The Funeral Ceremony of Mustafa Zorova(Anadolu Ajansı)* His body was taken from the morgue of Kahramankazan State Hospital on February 24, 2025, and brought to his home for ritual washing, then transferred to Merkez Ulu Camii. After the funeral prayer, he was buried at the Kahramankazan Asri Cemetery.[^11] The funeral ceremony was attended by Family and Social Services Minister Mahinur Özdemir Göktaş, Ankara Governor Vasip Şahin, Kahramankazan District Governor Abdullah Selim Parlar, Mayor Selim Çırpanoğlu, and numerous citizens.[^12] [YouTube Video](https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AclD9sXC0m0) *Scene Depicted in the Series Asırlık Gece (Asırlık Gece)* ### Preservation of His Memory In the sixth episode of the documentary series Asırlık Gece, Zorova’s testimonies and life struggle were portrayed. The series specifically covers the 9.5-year period he spent in hospitals following his injury on the night of the incident and the 56 operations he underwent during that time.[^13] ## Academic Sources and References 1. Anadolu Ajansı. "15 Temmuz gazisi Mustafa Zorova vefat etti." Accessed August 3, 2026. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/gundem/15-temmuz-gazisi-mustafa-zorova-vefat-etti/3490973 2. Anadolu Ajansı. "15 Temmuz gazisi Mustafa Zorova: Vatan için, bayrak için kanımızı akıttık." Accessed August 3, 2026. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/15-temmuz-darbe-girisimi/15-temmuz-gazisi-mustafa-zorova-vatan-icin-bayrak-icin-kanimizi-akittik/1201795 3. Anadolu Ajansı. "74 yaşındaki 15 Temmuz gazisi vatan için her zaman göreve hazır." Accessed August 3, 2026. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/15-temmuz-darbe-girisimi/74-yasindaki-15-temmuz-gazisi-vatan-icin-her-zaman-goreve-hazir-/1907647 4. Anadolu Ajansı. "Ankara'da vefat eden 15 Temmuz gazisi Zorova son yolculuğuna uğurlandı." Accessed August 3, 2026. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/gundem/ankarada-vefat-eden-15-temmuz-gazisi-zorova-son-yolculuguna-ugurlandi/3491821 5. Anadolu Ajansı. "Türk'ü kimse yenemez." Accessed August 3, 2026. 6. Anadolu Ajansı. "Yine olsa yine giderim." Accessed August 3, 2026. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/15-temmuz-darbe-girisimi/yine-olsa-yine-giderim/616411 7. Asırlık Gece. "İşgale Karşı Milletimiz Sokağa Çıktı” - Asırlık Gece 6. Bölüm." YouTube. Accessed August 3, 2026. 8. TRT Haber. "15 Temmuz gazisi Mustafa Zorova vefat etti." YouTube. Accessed August 3, 2026. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pw6J3QvwlWw 9. TRT Nostalji. "15 Temmuz Kahramanları Mustafa Zorova -48.Bölüm." YouTube. Accessed August 3, 2026. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YIT5ZKRkaY 10. Yeni Şafak. "Mustafa Zorova." Accessed August 3, 2026. https://www.yenisafak.com/15temmuz/mustafa-zorova-kisi-detay ## Citations [^1]: Yeni Şafak. "Mustafa Zorova." Erişim Tarihi 3 Ağustos 2026. https://www.yenisafak.com/15temmuz/mustafa-zorova-kisi-detay [^2]: Anadolu Ajansı. "Ankara'da vefat eden 15 Temmuz gazisi Zorova son yolculuğuna uğurlandı." Accessed August 3, 2026. [^3]: Yeni Şafak. "Mustafa Zorova." [^4]: TRT Nostalji. "15 Temmuz Kahramanları Mustafa Zorova -48.Bölüm." Youtube. Erişim Tarihi 3 Ağustos 2026. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5YIT5ZKRkaY [^6]: Yeni Şafak. "Mustafa Zorova." [^7]: TRT Nostalji. "15 Temmuz Kahramanları Mustafa Zorova -48.Bölüm." [^8]: TRT Nostalji. "15 Temmuz Kahramanları Mustafa Zorova -48.Bölüm." [^9]: Anadolu Ajansı. "15 Temmuz gazisi Mustafa Zorova vefat etti." Erişim Tarihi 3 Ağustos 2026. https://www.aa.com.tr/tr/gundem/15-temmuz-gazisi-mustafa-zorova-vefat-etti/3490973 [^10]: Anadolu Ajansı. "Ankara'da vefat eden 15 Temmuz gazisi Zorova son yolculuğuna uğurlandı." Accessed August 3, 2026. [^11]: Anadolu Ajansı. "Ankara'da vefat eden 15 Temmuz gazisi Zorova son yolculuğuna uğurlandı." [^12]: Anadolu Ajansı. "Ankara'da vefat eden 15 Temmuz gazisi Zorova son yolculuğuna uğurlandı." [^13]: Asırlık Gece. "İşgale Karşı Milletimiz Sokağa Çıktı” - Asırlık Gece 6. Bölüm." Youtube. Erişim Tarihi 3 Ağustos 2026. https://youtu.be/AclD9sXC0m0?si=C87hQpYruQ-toTF8