23.01.2025 19:00
The defendant, who appeared before the judge for the crime of injuring a mosque imam with an arrow in Bağcılar, Istanbul, defended himself by saying, "I was psychologically besieged in the mosque. If I wanted him to die, I would have shot him in the chest. I am a professional archer."
On July 24, 2024, the trial of Muhammed Fatih Gündoğdu, who injured Imam Dursun Kuru with an arrow after leading the prayer, began in Bağcılar.
"I AM A PROFESSIONAL ARCHER" During the hearing held at the Bakırköy 4th High Criminal Court, Imam Dursun Kuru and the detained defendant Muhammed Fatih Gündoğdu were present. The lawyers of both parties also attended the hearing. In his defense, defendant Muhammed Fatih Gündoğdu stated, "As usual, I went to the same mosque. I saw a person without appropriate clothing. He was in the area where prayers are held. I wanted to warn him. He responded to me in Arabic. I asked the imam for help. I said, 'Sir, he cannot pray like this.' The imam told me, 'Don't interfere in my work.' A discussion arose and escalated. A large group expelled me from the mosque. I went back to the ablution area. When I returned, I saw the crowd was still there. Then I went to my address and prayed. I took my bow. The imam and two others were coming towards me. I aimed, and the imam laughed at me mockingly. The imam moved to the right, so I aimed and shot the arrow. I shot one. The arrow hit the imam's right shoulder. I didn't draw the second arrow because I thought the individuals would react. The people who intervened in the incident caught me. I was psychologically besieged in the mosque. If I wanted him to die, I would have shot him in the chest. I used the bow without drawing it. It was not intended to injure. If I had wanted, I could have pulled the bow harder and ensured it penetrated deeper. I am a professional archer," he said.
"YOU'LL SEE NOW, HE SAID AND THREW THE ARROW" The complainant Imam Dursun Kuru stated, "On the day of the incident, the defendant told me that a person was praying inappropriately while going to the mihrab to perform the noon prayer, and that I needed to expel this person from the mosque. I said I could warn the person after the prayer. I asked him not to intervene. In response, the defendant reacted by saying that I was not doing my job. He shouted loudly that I needed to expel the person. The person went outside the mosque. After I led the prayer, while I was going to the Quran course where I was assigned, I suddenly saw the defendant in front of me, with a bow and arrow in his hand. At first, I thought the object in his hand was a toy, so I didn't pay much attention. The defendant, with the bow drawn, said, 'You'll see now,' and threw the arrow. The arrow struck the right side of my chest. Two congregants who were with me ran over and took the person down. Due to blood loss, I thought about going to the hospital. I staggered and rushed to the emergency room. They tried to remove the arrow in the emergency room, saying, 'Call the fire department.' They cut the tip of the arrow and then removed it. Due to the injury, I experienced numbness in my arm and cannot fully function. I am complaining about the defendant," he said.
"PSYCHOLOGICALLY A BIT UNWELL" Witness Murat Toy stated that the defendant is his nephew, saying, "He stays in the basement of my house. He is a bit psychologically unwell. He used to tell different things. He said he had been receiving news about something for the last 5-6 months."
After the witness statement, the court panel announced an interim decision, ruling that a report should be obtained regarding the defendant's mental health. The court decided to continue the defendant's detention and postponed the hearing to address the deficiencies.
WHAT HAPPENED? In the indictment prepared by the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, it was stated that on July 24, the defendant Muhammed Fatih Gündoğdu went to the Necattin Mosque in Bağcılar. It was noted that ten minutes after the assailant went to the mosque, he came to Dr. Sadık Ahmet Street, where his house is located, and after a while, he returned to the mosque with a bow and arrow. According to security camera footage, it was also stated in the indictment that Gündoğdu was waiting for Imam Dursun Kuru. As Imam Kuru entered the target area, Gündoğdu shot the arrow at him from between two people, and when he wanted to shoot the second arrow, he was stopped by those around him, as explained in the indictment. The defendant Muhammed Fatih Gündoğdu was requested to be sentenced to imprisonment of 13 to 20 years for the crime of 'attempted murder with intent due to the public duty performed by the person.'