17.01.2026 16:46
An investigation has been initiated ex officio against the individuals who threatened the mother of Atlas Çağlayan, who was stabbed to death by a 15-year-old suspect in a "side glance" fight in Güngören, Istanbul. A detention order has been issued for the individuals who threatened the family with death.
On January 14, in a café in Güngören, Istanbul, threat messages were sent to the mother of Atlas Çağlayan (17), who was stabbed to death by a 15-year-old suspect following a dispute that started with the accusation of "looking sideways." The grieving mother, Gülhan Ünlü, stated, "I started receiving threat messages today. The messages say exactly this, 'We killed your son Atlas, now it's your turn. We will bury you next to your son.' I will not bow to these threats."
ARREST WARRANT FOR THE THREATENING INDIVIDUALS
An investigation was initiated by the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against the individuals who sent threat messages to the family members of Atlas Çağlayan. An arrest warrant was issued for those who threatened the family with death.
GOVERNOR GÜL VISITED THE FAMILY
Governor of Istanbul, Davut Gül, visited the family of Atlas Çağlayan at their home in Güngören, stating, "We conveyed our condolences. We are all very sad. The judicial process is ongoing. We came to express our condolences. Anything beyond this would only deepen the family's pain, and we have no intention of sensationalizing the incident. It is a serious and painful event. Therefore, saying this person said that to this person... None of this benefits anyone. Our police and judiciary are continuing the process with determination. In the end, we will all see the process regarding the punishment of the criminals they deserve," he said.
"THESE PEOPLE WILL BE RELEASED AT 25 YEARS OLD"
Mother Gülhan Ünlü stated, "I thank everyone for their support. I know that all of Turkey is behind me and will not leave me alone. I believe that the families of children at this age are also responsible for this situation. If families receive punishment themselves, at least they will not harm families like us with this fear. Because they think of themselves, they do not even think of their own children. My child's life was taken, my child died, my heart is broken, I do not want other families to suffer. Therefore, in 10 years, these people will be released at 25 years old. They will not be able to control a 25-year-old. If they cannot control a 15-year-old, who knows what they will do at 25. This is a very big danger. They are not children; they are not normal people. Do not mix them with the public. Let's protect our children, please," she expressed.
"I SPOKE WITH YASEMİN MİNGUZZİ, SHE WILL COME TO VISIT"
Gülhan Ünlü said, "I spoke with Ms. Yasemin, and we will meet face to face. She will come when she is available. The same incident has torn itself apart. It happened to my son, 24 years, 24 years is nothing. The decisions made are so few; which mother is satisfied with 24 years? I cannot even call those murderers 'humans'; those murderers should not see the light of day. If you do not want another incident after Atlas, you need to ensure they do not see the light of day again. We only want justice, that is all we want. Justice should be served, but it should be timely. I ask here, is justice that is not timely really justice?" she stated.
"THE THREAT MESSAGES ARE WITH THE POLICE"
Speaking about the threat messages directed at them, Aunt Şaziye Pamuk said, "The police are involved. We do not have much information about them. That issue is entirely with the police. Our police have information and support on every matter, thank God. The Cyber Network is involved. We do not know anything else at the moment," she said.
"'WHAT WERE YOU LOOKING AT?' I STABBED HIM ONCE IN THE STOMACH"
The arrested 15-year-old suspect E.Ç. stated in his statement to the prosecutor, "On the date of the incident, I went to a café in Güngören with my friends A.A.H., S.Y., and M. After leaving the café with my friends, while I was in front of the café, Atlas Çağlayan, whose name I learned as a result of the incident, came up to me and cursed, saying 'What are you looking at?' He approached me. I took out the knife I had and swung it. I stabbed him once in the stomach. After that, they laid the child on the ground. The friends next to me beat me and insulted me. I started to wait there. My friend A.A.H. told me to give him the knife, so I handed him the knife I had. While he was holding the knife, those in the café told him to throw the knife on the ground. My friend threw the knife on the ground. When the police arrived, they caught me in the café. They took the knife. I accept the accusations as I have described, I did not know Atlas Çağlayan before," he said.