Sentence upheld for Can Göktuğ Boz, who murdered Başak Cengiz

The 1st Criminal Chamber of the Court of Cassation has upheld the aggravated life sentence and 5-year prison term given to Can Göktuğ Boz, who killed architect Başak Cengiz with a samurai sword while she was walking down the street in Ataşehir, Istanbul, on November 9, 2021.

The Chamber completed its appellate review of the verdict rendered by the Istanbul Anatolian 4th High Criminal Court on April 22, 2022.

Accordingly, it was decided to uphold the aggravated life sentence given to Boz for the crime of "intentional killing with monstrous feeling or by inflicting torment," without applying any discretionary sentence reduction.

The 4-year prison sentence given to the defendant Boz for threatening Kaan Ağaca, who tried to prevent the act against the victim Cengiz, and the 1-year prison sentence for the crime of "purchasing, carrying, or possessing firearms, knives, and other tools" were also upheld.

HE KEPT NUMEROUS CUTTING AND PIERCING TOOLS IN HIS HOME

In the Chamber's decision, it was stated that Boz carried out his act with a weapon described as a "samurai sword," and that 12 cutting and piercing tool marks were found on the victim Cengiz's body, 6 of which were lethal.

The decision noted that in his defense, the defendant Can stated that "because he was bored and unhappy, he decided to carry out an act against a female individual, considering it would be easier," and pointed out that the defendant also kept numerous cutting and piercing tools in his home.

The decision stated that on the day of the incident, the defendant Can attacked Cengiz, who was walking on the road, with a samurai sword he had taken from his home, and that despite the victim's resistance, Can continued his act, while also threatening Ağaca, who tried to stop him, by saying, "Don't come closer, I'll stab you too."