Mattia Minguzzi, the 14 -year -old’s murder trial begins in Istanbul: « We are here for our flower ». The boy’s tomb is desecked in the night

Women, women, especially women. Young, elderly. Someone holds a photo of Mattia Ahmet Minguzzi, The 14 -year -old attacked and killed in Istanbul On January 24, others leave flowers out of the court gates. They hold hands, embrace, shout in a firm and angry voice: « Justice for Mattia ». On the sidelines, groups of people pray together, in silence, not far others hold a sign in hand: « We are here for our flower ». « Fiore », the nickname with which the boy was called by his mother, Yasemin.

There are hundreds of people who gathered from the early hours of the morning for the opening of the process borne by the two girls accused of assaulting Mattia, Son of Italian chef Andrea Minguzzi and Turkish celler Yasemin Akıncılar. The young man died in the hospital on February 9 after more than two weeks of agony.

« There is a lot of emotion, but above all a lot of anger, » he tells the Corriere della Sera Yigit Aktekina friend of the couple who from early morning has been with the others to manifest. « People expect justice, and want Mattia’s memory to be forgotten. »

The trial takes place behind closed doors, as required by Turkish law for the minors defendants, but outside the court the voice of the square is clear. « It’s not just a question of punishment: it’s a matter of dignity, » continues Aktekin. « Mattia is our son, he is the son of all of us. »

« We fight to get the most severe punishment, » he said The family lawyer Minguzzi Rezan Epozdemir. According to the lawyer, the judges could condemn the defendants, held on charges of murder, « to a prison sentence from 18 to 24 years instead of aggravated life imprisonment » as minors. Both have criminal records.

Meanwhile in the night, the Tomb of Mattiain the Bahçelievler cemetery, on the European bank of Istanbul, it was damaged by unknown persons. Law enforcement officers are examining the damages and have started an investigation to identify the managers. A gesture that has shocked a family already put to the test for months of pain.

The institutional world and politics expressed closeness to Mattia’s family who met the last week Turkish president Erdoğan. Even the leader of the largest opposition party CHP, Özgür Özel, wanted to visit the family, as a sign of respect and condolence.

Minguzzi, who a few days after the death of his son he had released a long interview with Courierhe had declared that his son did not know his attackers, that the stabbing had not occurred following a quarrel and that the attackers had sought a fight for no reason.

The case aroused a strong sensation in Türkiye, also thanks to the great awareness of Mattia’s mother on social media.
A few weeks ago the family announced the birth of a Foundation dedicated to Mattia, with the aim of raising public awareness and creating prevention projects for young people. « It’s the way we have chosen to transform our pain into something that can serve other boys, » said the mother.

The process will continue in the next few days. Meanwhile, Istanbul squeezes around a wounded family. And he is strongly asks that justice is done.