20.06.2025 15:22
In the case regarding the murder of 15-year-old Mattia Ahmet Minguzzi, who was stabbed to death in Kadıköy, two defendants appeared before the judge again. Following the family's request for a change of judge, the court panel decided to suspend the proceedings. The hearing has been postponed to July 17.
Italian chef Andrea Minguzzi, who was attacked with a knife at a flea market in Kadıköy, Istanbul while shopping for skateboarding equipment, and the death of his 15-year-old son Mattia Ahmet Minguzzi, along with cellist Yasemin Akıncılar, are facing two defendants who appeared before the judge for the third time.
UP TO 24 YEARS OF IMPRISONMENT SOUGHT
During the hearing held at the Anadolu 2nd Children's Heavy Penal Court in Kartal, detained minors U.B. and B.B. attended, while Minguzzi's family and their lawyers were present in the courtroom. The defendants are facing charges of "intentional murder of a child," with prison sentences of up to 24 years sought.
Ahmet Minguzzi's mother, Yasemin Minguzzi, attended the hearing wearing a necklace made from her son's hair and a t-shirt printed with his photo.
Due to a decision for confidentiality and privacy, spectators and press members were not allowed into the courtroom. Among those attending the hearing were AK Party Istanbul Deputy Tuba Durgut, CHP Deputy Chairperson and former Women's Branch Chair Aylin Nazlıaka, CHP Istanbul Deputy Suat Özçağdaş, and CHP Trabzon Deputy Sibel Suiçmez.
SUPPORT FROM CITIZENS
A large number of citizens came to the courthouse to support the family, carrying banners with photos of Mattia Ahmet and chanting slogans like "We don't want a killer on the street."
THE FAMILY WAS NOT GIVEN A CHANCE TO SPEAK
According to journalist Emrullah Erdinç, mother Yasemin Minguzzi and father Andre Minguzzi wanted to speak during the hearing to explain how their son was murdered. However, the court panel did not grant them the right to speak. Following this, the family's lawyers questioned the impartiality of the court and requested the recusal of the judge.
THE COURT PANEL WITHDREW FROM THE CASE
After the family's lawyers' request for recusal, the court panel decided not to continue with the case. The hearing was postponed to July 17 at 10:00 AM.
WHAT IS A REQUEST FOR RECUSAL?
A request for recusal is when a party in a case doubts the impartiality of the judge assigned to the case and requests that the judge withdraw from the case. The Minguzzi family's request is being evaluated. If the request is accepted, another court panel will handle the case; if rejected, the current panel will continue the hearings.
WHAT HAPPENED?
15-year-old Mattia Ahmet Minguzzi was stabbed five times after an argument with 15-year-old B.B. while shopping at the historic Tuesday Market in Kadıköy on January 24, 2025. U.B., who was 16 years old and present at the scene, kicked Minguzzi, who had fallen to the ground. Severely injured, Mattia fought for his life in the hospital for 14 days before passing away. As part of the investigation, the Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office prepared an indictment against the murderers, seeking imprisonment of 18 to 24 years for the charge of "intentional murder of a child."
FROM THE INDICTMENT
According to the indictment prepared by the Anadolu Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, on January 24, Mattia Ahmet Minguzzi went to the historic Tuesday market in Kadıköy Hasanpaşa with his friends to buy skateboarding equipment, where he encountered minors U.B. (15) and B.B. (15). After a conversation between them, B.B. is reported to have pushed Minguzzi.
The indictment states that B.B. confronted Minguzzi again, who continued to walk around, and punched him, after which the suspect used a knife to injure Minguzzi in various parts of his body.
The indictment also mentions that U.B. kicked Minguzzi, who had fallen to the ground, and after intervention from nearby citizens, U.B. and B.B. fled the scene. It is noted that Minguzzi, who was treated in the hospital after the incident, passed away 17 days later on February 9.
According to the autopsy report obtained from the Forensic Medicine Institution, Minguzzi had three sharp force injuries on his body and a penetrating injury to his chest, with the cause of death recorded as internal organ injuries due to a sharp force attack.
The indictment states that U.B. kicked Minguzzi, while B.B. stabbed him multiple times with a knife taken from a stall, and both suspects, who were captured and arrested after the incident, are sought to be sentenced to 18 to 24 years in prison for the charge of "intentional murder of a child."