Life sentences for two defendants in Hakan Tosun case

The case regarding the beating death of journalist Hakan Tosun in Esenyurt, Istanbul, on October 11, 2025, has reached a verdict. The Bakırköy 17th High Criminal Court sentenced the detained defendants, Abdurrahman Murat and Adnan Şahin, to life imprisonment each for the crime of "intentional homicide."

Both defendants and the lawyers for the parties were present at the hearing. In his defense, defendant Abdurrahman Murat stated that he was saddened by the incident, claimed that the victim had provoked him into a fight, and requested his acquittal.

Defendant Adnan Şahin argued that he did not act in concert with Abdurrahman Murat. Şahin claimed that his action at the scene was an attempt to pull Murat away, and asserted that his "only crime was not calling an ambulance." The defendants' lawyers also requested the release and acquittal of their clients.

The lawyers for the complainant requested that the defendants be punished. Following the defenses and statements, the court panel ruled that the two defendants be sentenced to life imprisonment and that their detention continue.

In the indictment prepared by the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, Hakan Tosun was listed as the "victim," while Abdurrahman Murat and Adnan Şahin were listed as "defendants." The indictment stated that a total of 63 camera recordings regarding the period before and after the incident were examined.

The indictment stated that Tosun's death occurred as a result of bone fractures and brain hemorrhage due to blunt head trauma, and that there was a causal link between the defendants' actions and the death. The prosecution had assessed that the two defendants acted in unity of intent and action to kill Tosun.