08.04.2026 16:20
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 received the maximum sentence. The decision was met with whistles and applause in the courthouse corridor. Slogans of "Long live justice" echoed in the corridor.
The court announced its decision regarding the death of 23-year-old Hakan Çakır, who was fatally stabbed while trying to protect his mother and sister during a fight in Ankara. Following the verdict, sounds of whistling and applause rose in the courthouse corridors.
SEVERE PUNISHMENTS WERE GIVEN TO THE DEFENDANTS
The court panel evaluated the evidence in the case file and ruled for the maximum penalty for the defendants. T.Y.Z., a 14-year-old juvenile, received a 25-year prison sentence, while B.S.Z., a 17-year-old, was sentenced to 32 years in prison. Cemal Zeynal, the father mentioned in the incident, and Ahmet Emir Zeynal were sentenced to life imprisonment and an additional 28 years in prison.
APPLAUSE AND WHISTLING SOUNDS IN THE COURTHOUSE CORRIDOR
Although the sentence given to the defendants did not alleviate the pain, it provided a sense of justice to some extent. According to footage shared by journalist Emrullah Erdinç, after the announcement of the verdict, citizens and relatives present in the courthouse corridor welcomed the sentences with applause and whistles. Slogans of "Long live justice" echoed in the corridor. These moments after the hearing once again highlighted the sensitivity the case created in the public eye.
THE CASE
In the closed hearing held at the Ankara 12th High Criminal Court, detained defendants Ahmet Emir Zeynal, his father Cemal Zeynal, minors B.S.Z. and T.Y.Z., and the non-detained defendant Umut Kılınç, along with the attorneys of the parties, attended. The family of the victim and representatives from some civil society organizations also followed the hearing.
After listening to the final words of the defendants, the court announced its decision, sentencing Cemal Zeynal and Ahmet Emir Zeynal to life imprisonment for "intentional murder" and 28 years in prison for "attempted murder."
The court ruled that B.S.Z. would be sentenced to 32 years for "intentional murder" and "attempted murder," while T.Y.Z. would receive 25 years for the same offenses.
Defendant Umut Kılınç was fined for the crime of "insult."
FROM THE INDICTMENT
According to the indictment prepared by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, the incident that resulted in Hakan Çakır being stabbed to death occurred on the night of August 10, 2025, in Keçiören, due to a dispute over yielding the right of way.
In the scuffle between the victim's brother and mother and the defendants, Çakır lost his life from a stab wound.
The indictment sought life imprisonment for defendants Ahmet Emir Zeynal, Cemal Zeynal, and Umut Kılınç for "intentional murder," and prison sentences ranging from 45 years and 9 months for other offenses.
For the juvenile defendants, 41 years was requested for B.S.Z. and 26 years and 6 months for T.Y.Z.
WHAT HAPPENED?
On August 10 of last year, Hakan Çakır (23), who operated a raw meatball shop in Keçiören, Ankara, had a dispute with Ahmet Emir Zeynal (19) and his friend Umut Kılınç (19) over yielding the right of way while his mother S.Ö. and sister Melisa Nur Çakır (15) were returning home from the shop. A fight broke out between Hakan Çakır and Zeynal and Kılınç after his sister Melisa Nur Çakır called him for help. The fight escalated with the involvement of other relatives from both families, resulting in Hakan Çakır being fatally stabbed. Cemal Zeynal (45) and his children Ahmet Emir Zeynal, B.S.Z. (17), and T.Y.Z. (14) were arrested.