MARDIN — 2009 · Murder

Bilge village massacre

SolvedSources: ALast updated: 14 October 2026

On 4 May 2009, an armed attack on an engagement ceremony in Bilge village, in the Mazıdağı district of Mardin, killed 44 people, including women and children. The attack was reported to be linked to disputes within families and clans. At the end of the trial, four defendants were each sentenced to 44 aggravated life terms; the verdicts were upheld by the Court of Cassation in February 2012. It is recorded as one of the deadliest mass killings in Turkey's recent history.

Date: 2009
Place: Mazıdağı, Mardin
Category: Murder
Case Status: Solved
Coordinates: 37.4750, 40.4820 ↗

Timeline of Events

4 May 2009Attack on an engagement ceremony in Bilge; 44 killed.
May 2009Suspects were detained.

TrialFour defendants each received 44 aggravated life terms.
February 2012The verdicts were upheld by the Court of Cassation.

Sources

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