ISTANBUL — 1979 · Murder
Killing of Metin Yüksel in the Fatih Mosque courtyard
Metin Yüksel, a 20-year-old leading figure of the Akıncılar Association, was shot dead in the courtyard of the Fatih Mosque in Istanbul after Friday prayers on 23 February 1979. According to sources, after a brief verbal argument he was attacked by a group of opposing views who had reportedly threatened him before. Yüksel had already survived an armed attack with injuries in 1977. The killing became one of the most talked-about incidents of the left–right clashes before 12 September 1980 and was condemned by youth organisations of the time. The stone where he was shot was kept painted red in his memory for nearly forty years, until the mosque's restoration in 2018.
- Date
- 1979
- Place
- Fatih, Istanbul
- Category
- Murder
- Case Status
- Closed
- Coordinates
- 41.0194, 28.9497 ↗
Timeline of Events
- 26 October 1977Yüksel survived an armed attack outside Darüşşafaka High School with injuries.
- 23 February 1979He was shot dead in the Fatih Mosque courtyard after Friday prayers.
- 25 February 1979Youth organisations issued statements condemning the killing.
- 2018The red-painted stone marking the spot was removed during the mosque's restoration.
Sources
- Vikipedi — Metin Yüksel tr.wikipedia.org ↗
- Sözcü — Metin Yüksel'in 'kanı' silindi sozcu.com.tr ↗
- Wikipedia (TR)
- Sözcü
Source grade A: several independent sources, at least one an official record or reference work. If you spot a mistake or something missing, report it with "Suggest a correction" in the app.
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🕯️ This record was prepared with respect, in memory of those who lost their lives.