İzmir teen re‑arrested after knife attack on neighbor's daughter

On 25 October 2024, in the Mustafa Kemal Atatürk neighbourhood of Kemalpaşa, İzmir, a 16‑year‑old male – identified in court documents as Çağlar Efe D. (also reported as Ç. E. D.) – repeatedly stalked 18‑year‑old Betül Ç. and stabbed her in the neck, face, hip, left arm and ear. He also seized her mobile phone. Betül Ç. received emergency medical treatment and was discharged from hospital after her injuries healed.

The suspect was captured by police and jandarma at his father’s home in Beşyol, and the İzmir 2nd Child Heavy Penal Court sentenced him to 12 years for attempted murder and 6 years 8 months for robbery, with an additional two‑year term for insult. The court later released him under judicial control and a travel ban. The İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor appealed the release; a higher court revoked the decision and ordered a new arrest warrant. The suspect was re‑arrested and returned to prison.

The case has proceeded through the regional appellate court and the local Children's Court, with the prosecution maintaining that the offender poses a risk of re‑offending and that detention is a necessary protective measure.