15.05.2026 18:20
In Büyükçekmece, Istanbul, 16-year-old Abdulbaki Demirel was killed with 17 stab wounds during an argument over a refusal to give a cigarette. His brother, Muhammed Demirel, stating that his brother was brutally murdered while trying to escape, called on President Erdoğan and Justice Minister Gürlek to increase security measures, demanding the harshest punishment for the perpetrators.
Muhammed Demirel, the older brother of 16-year-old Abdulbaki Demirel who lost his life in a knife fight in Istanbul's Büyükçekmece district, described the incident. The grieving brother claimed that his brother was attacked for refusing to give cigarettes. "While my brother was trying to flee, they went after him and struck him in vital areas. They inflicted 17 stab wounds. We want the perpetrators to receive the harshest punishment," he said.
LEFT BLEEDING AT THE SCENE The incident occurred on Sunday, May 10, in the Muratçeşme neighborhood of Büyükçekmece. According to claims, a fight broke out among four children for an unknown reason. As the argument escalated, E.B. (16) and M.A.D. (17) attacked Abdulbaki Demirel (16) and S.I. (15) with knives they had on them.
The two children, who collapsed from the knife blows, were seriously injured, while the attackers fled the scene. Upon notification, medical teams arriving at the scene provided first aid to the wounded and then took them to the hospital. Abdulbaki Demirel could not be saved despite all interventions by doctors. It was learned that the injured S.I. is continuing treatment at the hospital.
ATTACKERS CAPTURED SHORTLY Following the incident, police teams launched an investigation and quickly captured E.B. and M.A.D., identified as the perpetrators, along with the knife used in the attack. After processing at the police station, the two children were referred to the courthouse, arrested, and sent to prison.
The deceased Abdulbaki Demirel was laid to rest amid tears at the new cemetery in Güzelce.
"MY BROTHER SAID 'I DON'T SMOKE'" Muhammed Demirel, who claimed his brother was targeted for not giving cigarettes, described their pain after the incident with these words:
"They apparently asked my brother for a cigarette. My brother said, 'I don't smoke.' An argument broke out. Then they brutally attacked him with a knife. While the child was trying to flee, the other person followed him from behind. He struck him in vital areas. He inflicted 17 stab wounds. It's impossible for a person who sustains 17 stab wounds to survive."
Muhammed Demirel "LET OTHER FAMILIES NOT SUFFER" The grieving brother called on authorities to prevent similar incidents and asked to stop children from carrying weapons and knives.
"We are in great pain. We speak so that other children don't die and other families don't grieve. Children need to receive education. Kids at that age walk around with knives and weapons on their belts. They kill people. They act with the mindset 'I'm young, I'll get out,'" he said.
CALL TO PRESIDENT ERDOĞAN AND JUSTICE MINISTER GÜRLEK In his statement, Muhammed Demirel also addressed President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Justice Minister Akın Gürlek, requesting increased security measures.
Demirel said, "Please enhance security in our country. Do whatever is necessary to prevent young people from having weapons and knives. Drug use is rampant. Young people use drugs and then turn into monsters."
Abdülbaki Demirel "PERPETRATORS SHOULD GET THE HARSHEST PUNISHMENT" Muhammed Demirel, who demands the harshest punishment for the perpetrators, noted that violent incidents among children are increasing and said, "Thousands of children die every year. Gang formation is growing in the country. They put money in a child's pocket and have them kill people. The state should prevent this. They should not let go of this case."
Meanwhile, from the late Abdulbaki Demirel, only photos smiling at his loved ones remain.