Neo-Nazi teen in Eskisehir knife rampage faces 108 years, planned a bomb attack

A 19-year-old man, identified as Arda Kucukyetim, faces up to 108 years in prison on charges of attempted murder and creating public panic after attacking five people in a park while live-streaming the incident.

Prosecutors allege Kucukyetim meticulously planned the August 2023 assault in Tepebasi district and aimed to generate fear and notoriety.

The indictment details that Kucukyetim wore a helmet, ski mask, protective goggles, and a tactical vest adorned with Nazi symbols during the attack.

Armed with a knife and small hatchet, he wounded five individuals—aged between 52 and 88—before being apprehended by police. Authorities stated that the suspect had intended to carry out a bombing prior to the assault but abandoned the plan, citing safety concerns at home.

Eskisehir knife attacker’s chilling confessions

Kucukyetim confessed to investigators that his actions were not religiously motivated but rather stemmed from his disdain for humanity. “I did this because I do not like people and wanted to create a sensation,” he reportedly stated.

The suspect also revealed online conversations with an unidentified individual who encouraged him to carry out the attack. He claimed the person, with whom he communicated in English, shared plans to commit a school shooting in their own country. This interaction allegedly fueled Kucukyetim’s resolve to execute his own act of violence.

Prosecutors noted that Kucukyetim had conducted extensive research on explosives, downloading manuals and making attempts to source materials. He also scouted potential locations for his attack, ultimately deciding on a park near Tepebasi Mosque.

Turkish knife attacker’s manifesto and neo-Nazi influences

A report from Türkiye’s counterterrorism division revealed that Kucukyetim had authored a 16-page manifesto prior to the attack. The document outlined plans inspired by video games, assigning point values to crimes such as assault and murder. Investigators linked his ideology to Nazism, as evidenced by symbols on his equipment and references in his writings.

The manifesto also praised infamous perpetrators of mass violence, including Anders Behring Breivik and Brenton Tarrant, referring to them as “saints.” Kucukyetim reportedly viewed his actions as a means to emulate their notoriety, even likening himself to a “video game character.”

Eskisehir attacker’s legal proceedings and mental evaluation

An investigation determined that Kucukyetim was fully aware of his actions, and a psychiatric evaluation confirmed his criminal responsibility. Prosecutors assert that his actions do not qualify as terrorism but as ideologically driven violence.

Authorities charged him with five counts of “attempted premeditated murder” and “creating fear and panic among the public.” If convicted, Kucukyetim faces a maximum sentence of 108 years in prison.

While the victims have recovered from their injuries, the attack has left a lasting impact on the community, with local officials calling for heightened vigilance against radicalized individuals. The trial is set to proceed in Eskişehir’s 6th High Criminal Court.