# Murder of Mattia Ahmet Minguzzi

The murder of Mattia Ahmet Minguzzi refers to the fatal assault on a 14-year-old boy in Kadikoy, a neighborhood on the Anatolian side of Istanbul, Turkey. The incident, which occurred on January 24, 2025, has received international press coverage and it has started an intense public discussion over youth violence in the country.

## Background

Mattia Ahmet Minguzzi was the son of Italian chef Andrea Minguzzi and Turkish cellist Yasemin Akincilar Minguzzi.

## Incident

On January 24, Mattia was admitted to an intensive care unit after being attacked in a bustling street market in Kadikoy. According to media reports, the event took place in two stages:
* Stabbing: Minguzzi was stabbed five times by the 15-year-old B. B.
* Further assault: After falling to the ground from the stab wounds, Mattia was kicked by the 16-year-old U. B.
Mattia was declared brain dead the day after the attack. The attack was captured on video, which circulated among media outlets and social networks, intensifying public reaction.

## Aftermath and reactions

After the incident, the suspects, 15-year-old B.B. and 16-year-old U.B., were arrested and sent to prison. Speaking to a media outlet, Mattia’s parents demanded the maximum penalty for those responsible. Victim's mother Yasemin Minguzzi emphasized her expectation of severe punishment, declaring, "A murderer is a murderer."
Following the incident, many discussions took place in the Turkish media about what a potential punishment might look like. The fact that the suspects are under 18 affects the severity of their potential sentences. Lawyer Serkan Günel explained to a news outlet that anyone under 18 is legally considered a child and that the Turkish law mandates a sentence reduction without exception, leaving judges with no discretion in the matter. He stated that if a minor is between 15 and 18 years old, a life sentence would be reduced to a term ranging from 12 to 15 years in prison.
In late February 2025, DEM Party Istanbul MP Çiçek Otlu submitted a parliamentary inquiry request to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey. Otlu called for a comprehensive investigation into the issues faced by both children driven to crime and child victims, highlighting the need for effective solutions. In the rationale provided with her request, Otlu drew attention to the high rate of crimes committed by minors in Turkey, and explicitly mentioned the murder of Minguzzi. The same month, in a speech at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Felicity Party Deputy Chair Mustafa Kaya called for justice for Minguzzi. Kaya stated that he had visited Minguzzi's family to offer his condolences and relayed the family's request for a legal amendment to ensure that perpetrators of such crimes are not treated as minors under the law, and that the suspects receive the harshest possible punishment. Emphasizing the importance of preserving this incident in the public memory, Kaya also stressed the need for strong deterrent measures to prevent similar tragedies in the future.
In March 2025, during one of their concerts, Kaan Tangöze, the lead vocalist of Turkish music band Duman, indicated that Mattia had attended one of their previous concerts end expressed sorrow for his passing. Tangöze's announcement was posted on the group’s social media accounts with a note saying, "I want to tell you something," along with the hashtag "justice for Mattia Ahmet Minguzzi."