Nilda Müge Şahin murder in Şişli fuels outrage over suspect's release

On the night of 5 August 2024, 25‑year‑old Nilda Müge Şahin was shot dead outside a night‑pharmacy in Mecidiyeköy, Şişli, Istanbul. The attacker, her former boyfriend Nazir Ilgın, approached on a motorcycle, cut her off and opened fire, killing her despite emergency medical care.

Şahin had filed a domestic‑violence protection request nine days earlier after reporting threats from Ilgın. Ilgın had previously been convicted in 2021 for an attempted murder/knife attack on another woman and sentenced to 14 years, but was released on judicial control before the Şahin killing. Security‑camera footage of the shooting has been released, and police continue to search for Ilgın.

The case has sparked public debate over the effectiveness of Turkey’s protective‑order system and the handling of repeat offenders in gender‑based violence cases.