In Trabzon’s Meydan Park, a powerful display of solidarity unfolded as citizens, local leaders, and Trabzonspor fans joined Yasemin Minguzzi, the mother of the late Mattia Ahmet Minguzzi, in a march demanding justice. Mattia Ahmet, who was killed in a knife attack in Istanbul, has become a symbol in his mother’s wider fight against violence and injustice in Türkiye.
Ortahisar Mayor Ahmet Kaya, supporters from the Trabzonspor community, and numerous residents accompanied Minguzzi through the city’s streets, chanting slogans and calling for change.
“Enough Is Enough” – A Mother’s Call for Action
Addressing the crowd, Yasemin Minguzzi emphasized that her struggle is for all victims, not just her son. She invited Trabzon residents, especially young people, to attend the upcoming court hearing on October 2 in Istanbul, stressing the importance of a visible public presence in the courtroom:
“This is my first time in Trabzon without Ahmet. I want the killers to receive a full 24-year sentence without reductions. Enough is enough. Ahmet pressed the red button—I don’t want any more Ahmets to die. In Italy, laws have changed, and perpetrators of violence against women now receive life sentences. That is my fight here too.”
She also highlighted that the community’s gathering was not only in memory of Mattia Ahmet but for all victims of such violence, urging people not to misunderstand the purpose of the march.
A Call for Unity from Local Leadership
Mayor Ahmet Kaya praised the participants for their compassion and resolve, framing the march as a matter of humanity and conscience:
“We must show our solidarity so that no more Ahmets are murdered, and no more women or girls fall victim to violence. Our city, with its deep cultural heritage, should not be associated with such tragedies. It is up to all of us to stand together and speak out against these acts.”
He also referenced recent femicides in the region, including the killing of a young woman in Beşikdüzü the previous week and another in Vakfıkebir, expressing deep sorrow over these events and calling for collective action to prevent them.
Walking Together for Justice
The marchers moved through Trabzon’s streets chanting slogans and singing, turning the city center into a space of shared grief, resistance, and hope. For Yasemin Minguzzi, the gathering was both a tribute to her son and a statement of defiance against a culture of violence.
The October 2 hearing will be a pivotal moment in her campaign, as she continues to push for stricter sentencing laws in Türkiye, drawing inspiration from reforms in Italy that impose life sentences for severe cases of violence against women.
