16-year-old defendant who murdered his 15-year-old ex-girlfriend: 'I am remorseful'

The trial of a 15-year-old defendant who murdered his 15-year-old ex-girlfriend, Gülden Coni, by stabbing her 30 times in a schoolyard in Edirne has begun. The family of the murdered girl called for justice outside the courthouse.

On April 5, 2025, an argument between Gülden Coni and her ex-boyfriend, who met in a schoolyard in Edirne, ended in murder. Coni, who was only 16, lost her life after being stabbed multiple times by the 15-year-old suspect.

The trial of the defendant began at the Edirne 3rd High Criminal Court. The defendant, who is being held in prison, attended the hearing via the Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBİS). In his defense, the defendant said, "I am remorseful," and provided a detailed statement regarding the events leading up to the incident. After the brief hearing, the court panel adjourned the trial to a later date, citing the need to address missing elements in the case file.

Speaking after the hearing, Gülden Coni's mother, Zehra Coni, and father, Sami Coni, emphasized that justice must be served, stating, "Our child is in the ground; we want him to receive the heaviest sentence possible."

The family's lawyer, Çağrı Muştu, pointed out contradictions in the defendant's statements, saying, "He tried to rely on a claim of provocation in his defense. However, we believe this murder was planned and intentional. We are pursuing justice for our client family."