Prosecutor Ercan Kayhan was killed in Istanbul

On the evening of September 3, 2025, at around 21:15 in the Çekmeköy district of Istanbul, in the restaurant “Yeşil Oba Et Mangal” located in the Ömerli neighborhood, the prosecutor of the Istanbul Judicial Chamber — 58-year-old Ercan Kayhan — was brutally murdered. According to Habertürk, the attack was carried out by a 19-year-old man with whom the judge was believed to have had a long-standing feud.

According to an official statement from the Istanbul Prosecutor’s Office, Kayhan was stabbed to death by his longtime adversary, one Mustafa Can Gül (19), who delivered a fatal blow to the neck. Medical services arriving at the scene confirmed the judge’s death on the spot. After the incident, the suspect was arrested at the scene and taken into custody.

Sources indicate that the restaurant where the tragedy occurred allegedly belonged to Prosecutor Kayhan himself, and the suspect had previously worked there as a waiter. In response to accusations, it was reported that Gül had been dismissed due to addiction problems, which may have led to the conflict.

It was also revealed that Gül has several prior convictions: for violence against women, stalking, and violation of residential privacy. In addition, he had been imprisoned in Maltepe prison from November 2024 to January 2025.

The Istanbul Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation, led by the Deputy Chief Prosecutor of the Istanbul Court of Appeal. At the same time, the prosecution and lawyers are monitoring the progress of the case to establish all the circumstances of the incident.

Condolences were expressed by officials as well. Istanbul Governor Davut Gül personally arrived at the scene, organized enhanced security measures in the area, and paid tribute to the slain prosecutor. Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç, on behalf of the state, expressed deep sorrow and assured that the investigation is being conducted comprehensively and thoroughly.