Minguzzi family faces son’s grave vandalism during murder trial

The grave of 15-year-old Ahmet Mattia Minguzzi was vandalized early Thursday morning, just hours before the first court hearing for the two teenagers accused of his fatal stabbing in Istanbul’s Kadikoy district earlier this year.

Family attorney Rezan Epozdemir confirmed the attack on social media, writing: “My clients’ only child Ahmet Minguzzi’s grave was attacked this morning. I have spoken with law enforcement officials who are conducting necessary examinations at the cemetery. The family has been receiving death threats for about two months. We are now heading to the hearing.”

The vandalism occurred at Bahcelievler cemetery, where police cordoned off the area and conducted a forensic investigation. Municipality workers later replaced damaged flowers and repaired broken fencing around the grave site.

A relative who visited the grave after learning of the attack told reporters, “This is truly an act of evil. Vandalizing a child’s grave is barbaric. We want the perpetrators severely punished. The grave was like a garden of flowers, and now nothing remains.”

Investigation launched into grave vandalism amid murder Minguzzi’s trial

The Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into the incident on charges of “damaging cemeteries.”

Meanwhile, the trial of the two juveniles accused of killing Minguzzi began Thursday at the Istanbul Anadolu 2nd Juvenile High Criminal Court. The defendants, aged 15 and 16 at the time of the stabbing, face up to 24 years in prison—a reduced sentence due to their age.

Minguzzi’s mother, Yasemin Akincilar Minguzzi, told reporters before the hearing: “Our legal battle will continue until the end so that no more Ahmets are lost. We expect an exemplary punishment for my son’s murder.”

The family’s attorney, Dr. Epozdemir, explained the sentencing constraints: “Under normal circumstances, these perpetrators should be tried with aggravated life imprisonment, but one is 15 and the other accomplice is 16 years old. In this case, the perpetrators are expected to be punished with 18 to 24 years in prison. Without any reductions, the maximum penalty the perpetrators can receive is 24 years imprisonment.”

The Minguzzi family is also advocating for legal reforms that would eliminate age-related sentence reductions in serious crimes committed against children.

The Ministry of Family and Social Services has joined the case as an intervening party. Outside the courthouse, supporters gathered, chanting “Justice for Mattia Ahmet” as tensions briefly flared between defense attorneys and security personnel.

Ahmet Mattia Minguzzi, the son of an Italian restaurant chef, was stabbed to death in January, sparking widespread public outrage and calls for tougher juvenile sentencing laws.