08.04.2026 19:10
In the murder trial of 23-year-old Hakan Çakır, who was stabbed to death while trying to protect his mother and brother during a fight in Ankara, all defendants were given the maximum sentence. After the verdict hearing, Melisa Nur Çakır said, "You didn't come back, brother, but I'm sure you are at peace now. Your blood was not shed in vain; we miss you so, so much. Today, I fulfilled my last duty to you. I was always pleased with you, you know, and I hope you are pleased with me too."
A decision has been made in the case regarding the fight in which 23-year-old Hakan Çakır lost his life in the Keçiören district of Ankara.
PENALTIES FOR THE DEFENDANTS The hearing held at the Ankara 12th High Criminal Court was attended by detained defendants Ahmet Emir Zeynal, Cemal Zeynal, juvenile offenders B.S.Z. and T.Y.Z., as well as non-detained defendants Eyyüp Demir, Şahin Çakır, Hakkı Can Çakır, and Umut Kılınç, along with the lawyers of the parties. The hearing was conducted behind closed doors due to a confidentiality decision.
The court panel sentenced defendants Cemal Zeynal and Ahmet Emir Zeynal to life imprisonment for "intentional murder" and 28 years in prison for "attempted murder." The court also sentenced juvenile offenders B.S.Z. to 32 years and T.Y.Z. to 25 years in prison for the same charges and decided to continue the detention of the defendants.
Umut Kılınç was fined for the crime of insult. While Hakan Çakır's father Şahin Çakır and Eyyüp Demir were acquitted of all charges, his brother Hakkı Can Çakır was fined 10,000 lira for simple injury.
"ALL 4 DEFENDANTS RECEIVED PENALTIES FOR ALL CHARGES" After the decision was announced, applause was heard in the courthouse, and some individuals were seen crying. Relatives of the deceased young man made a press statement in front of the courthouse with banners they opened after the hearing.
Lawyer Umur Yıldırım, expressing that a decision has been made in the case, stated, "All defendants from the Zeynal family received life sentences for killing Hakan, and Şahin's brother and Hakkı received two life sentences for attempted murder. They also received separate penalties for injuring his mother and Mr. Eyüp. Here, the adult father Cemal Zeynal and Ahmet Zeynal received life plus 28 and 30 years. There is also life imprisonment, of course. The 14-year-old defendant fully accepted the crime. He actually claimed that he carried out this act alone, but the court did not trust this. Again, the court sentenced the 14-year-old child to life imprisonment but applied a reduction in the sentence due to Article 31 of the Turkish Penal Code. The total sentence for the younger child came to 24 years for all these crimes. For the 17-year-old defendant named B.Z., life imprisonment was also given for murder. Due to his young age, a reduction was applied to the sentence. A total sentence of nearly 30 years was given for B.Z. All 4 defendants received penalties for all charges. It was decided to continue their detention. Justice has been served to some extent for us. I hope this decision is upheld by the appellate court and the Supreme Court. I hope there will be no precedent for this in the future. Our hearts have cooled a bit, but this justice was not served for us. Ultimately, Hakan is dead and will not come back," he said.
"JUSTICE HAS BEEN SERVED" With tears in his eyes, father Şahin Çakır said, "I only say Umur Yıldırım. He has not left our side until today. He has been like a brother to us and an older brother to my children. I urge all families. Do not hire 2-3 lawyers, one Umur Yıldırım is enough. That's all I have to say. There is nothing else. Justice has been served. I sincerely thank all our friends, acquaintances, and everyone who came. Please forgive me."
"TODAY I FULFILLED MY LAST DUTY TO YOU" On the other hand, Hakan Çakır's sister Melisa Çakır Nur also shared on her social media account, "You didn't come back, brother, but I am sure you are at peace now. Your blood was not shed in vain; we miss you so much. Today I fulfilled my last duty to you. I have always been pleased with you, you know, I hope you are pleased with me too."
WHAT HAPPENED? Hakan Çakır (23), who operated a raw meatball shop in the Keçiören district of Ankara, had an argument with Ahmet Emir Zeynal (19) and his friend Umut Kılınç (19) over a "right of way" issue while returning home from the shop with his mother S.Ö. and sister Melisa Nur Çakır (15) on August 10 last year. A fight broke out between Hakan Çakır and Zeynal and Kılınç after Melisa Nur Çakır informed her brother Hakan Çakır. The fight escalated with the involvement of other relatives from both families, and Hakan Çakır was stabbed to death. Cemal Zeynal (45) and his children Ahmet Emir Zeynal, B.S.Z. (17), and T.Y.Z. (14) were arrested in connection with the incident.