Defendants seek release in Kastamonu trial over fight that left Cihan Çalışır dead

The trial continued in Kastamonu in the case concerning a fight that broke out between two groups in Kuzeykent Neighborhood on December 13, 2025, and resulted in the death of barber Cihan Çalışır. Çalışır, who was stabbed in the incident, died at Kastamonu Training and Research Hospital, where he had been taken; his brother C. Çalışır, who was injured as a result of assault, was discharged after treatment.

M.C.B., H.E.G., V.Y.B. and Z.C.Ç., who were detained as part of the investigation, were remanded in custody, and a case was filed against the defendants on the charge of “intentional homicide.” At the latest hearing, the defendants offered condolences to the family of Çalışır, who lost his life, said they were remorseful over the incident and requested their release.

DEFENSE STATEMENTS AND REQUESTS FOR RELEASE FROM THE DEFENDANTS

H.E.G., one of the jailed defendants, argued that he had no intention of harming anyone. Saying he did not know the events would reach this point, H.E.G. said, “I only protected myself to stop the attack directed at me. Other than that, I did not know the events would reach this stage; otherwise I definitely would not have gone there.” H.E.G. offered condolences to the victim’s family and requested his release.

Defendant V.Y.B. also claimed that on the day of the incident he knew a person named Ahmet from the opposing side had a gun, and that he therefore wanted to move him away from the marketplace. Arguing that he had not carried out any lethal act against Cihan Çalışır, V.Y.B. said, “I am very sorry that the incident came to this point, I am very remorseful; I wish it had not happened.”

M.C.B. said he had seen Cihan Çalışır for the first time on the day of the incident and that he had no intent to kill. The defendant, who said, “May the deceased rest in heaven, may God have mercy on him,” stated that he was taking refuge in justice and requested his release. Z.C.Ç. also argued that he had no intention of fighting or committing a crime, apologized and asked to be released.

FAMILY DEMANDS THE HARSHEST SENTENCE

Speaking at the hearing, Cihan Çalışır’s father, İ. Çalışır, rejected claims that his son had a knife on him. Father Çalışır, saying that as a family they were fishmongers at the market, asked, “Can one person be hit with baseball bats, traffic cones and a knife; is this compatible with humanity?” and demanded that the defendants be punished in the harshest way.

Mother R. Çalışır also said she was a complainant in the case and would not withdraw her complaint. Mother Çalışır, explaining that the incident had worn the family down materially and morally, said two children had been left fatherless. Cihan Çalışır’s brother, C. Çalışır, said he did not see a gun or knife during the incident and that he himself did not pull a knife.

At the hearing, statements were also taken regarding the licensed weapon linked to the incident. Participating party H.D. argued that the gun belonged to him, that he normally kept it unloaded at home and that his son had not carried a gun during the day of the incident. H.D. said he had handed over the gun at the request of the police and asked for it to be returned.

After hearing the statements of the lawyers as well, the court panel decided to wait for the expert report on the video recordings in the file. The hearing was adjourned to a later date.