11.08.2026 22:41
A verbal argument that began with someone making a remark to a man sitting in a park in Istanbul's Beykoz district ended in a horrific murder in front of a mosque. The suspect, who killed his adversary by stabbing him in the neck, chest, and underarm with a knife he had brought with him, tried to defend himself in his police statement by saying, "I swung the knife I found on the bench," but security cameras immediately exposed his lie.
A verbal argument between Yavuz Özgül (55) and Osman Ş. (61) in a park in the Paşabahçe neighborhood of Beykoz quickly ended in murder. Özgül, who was seriously wounded with three stab wounds during the fight that continued in front of the mosque, died at the hospital where he was taken. The suspect was apprehended near the scene and claimed 'self-defense' in his statement to the police; however, security cameras revealed the truth.
VERBAL ARGUMENT IN THE PARK TURNED INTO A KNIFE FIGHT IN FRONT OF THE MOSQUE
The incident occurred at around 15:15. According to allegations, an argument broke out due to catcalling between Osman Ş., who was sitting in Paşabahçe Park, and Yavuz Özgül, who approached him. After the argument, the two faced each other again in front of the mosque. At that moment, Osman Ş. attacked Özgül with a knife.
Yavuz Özgül, who was seriously wounded in the left neck, chest, and armpit, was taken to Paşabahçe State Hospital unconscious by health teams who arrived upon notice. Despite all the doctors' efforts, Özgül could not be saved.
HE SAID 'I FOUND IT ON THE BENCH AND SWUNG IT,' BUT CAMERAS CONTRADICTED HIM
The suspect Osman Ş., who was caught 25 meters from the crime scene with the murder weapon, made the following claims in his statement:
"I am a diabetic. I had no feud with the victim. We argued because he catcalled us in the park. I went to the front of the mosque so it wouldn't escalate. He searched the shops for a knife, and when he came to me and reached for his waist, thinking he would stab me, I swung the knife I found on the bench."
However, police teams examining the security cameras in the area found details that contradicted the suspect's statement. In the footage examined, it was determined that Osman Ş. took the knife not from the bench but from his own right back pocket, stabbed Özgül first in the chest and then in the neck, and as the victim fell to the ground, he threw the knife, causing it to lodge in his armpit.
WILL BE REFERRED TO THE COURTHOUSE
In the criminal record query, it was found that Yavuz Özgül, who lost his life, had a record for drug and various crimes, while the suspect Osman Ş. had no criminal record. It was reported that the suspect would be referred to the courthouse after his procedures at the police station.