Teen dies after violent ‘joke’ at workplace: Family demands justice
Muhammed Kendirci, a 15-year-old boy in Turkey, died after co-workers attacked him with an air compressor in what they called a “joke.” His family is speaking out, demanding answers and justice.
What started as a normal day of work for 15-year-old Muhammed Kendirci ended in a horrifying tragedy that has shaken Turkey and sparked public outrage. On November 14, while working as an apprentice in a carpentry shop in Bozova, Şanlıurfa Province, Muhammed was brutally attacked by two older coworkers.
According to local reports, one of the men—identified as 20-year-old Habip Aksoy—restrained Muhammed with the help of another unnamed worker. They tied his hands, forcibly removed his clothes, and inserted the nozzle of a high-pressure air compressor into his rectum, blasting air into his body.
The force of the air caused Muhammed’s intestines and internal organs to rupture. He was rushed to Harran University Research and Application Hospital in critical condition. Despite doctors’ efforts, he died five days later, on November 19.
The air compressor, a tool typically used in firefighting and automotive repair, is known to produce dangerous levels of pressure if misused. In this case, it became a weapon.
“Our child was murdered”
Muhammed’s parents, Nebihe and Ahmet Kendirci, are still in shock. In interviews with local media, they shared their grief and frustration at the lack of accountability.
“There are at least three people in the workshop. Isn’t it strange that no one sees?” asked Nebihe. “They should hear him shouting. My son’s pants, underwear, slippers—everything is missing. Did he go there naked, for God’s sake?”
Ahmet added, “They said it was a joke, but it was murder. My son was tortured. He was only a child.”
Both parents questioned how such an act could happen in a supervised workplace and why there were no cameras or adults around to stop it.
Legal action and growing public anger
The main suspect, Habip Aksoy, was initially detained but released on probation. After public outcry and pressure from prosecutors, he was re-arrested. The second suspect’s identity has not yet been revealed, and the investigation is ongoing.
The public has reacted with outrage over how the incident was first described as a “joke” rather than a violent crime.
Suat Özçağdaş, a member of the Turkish Parliament, shared on social media, “This horrific event is the result of a system that looks the other way when children are forced to work. Muhammed should have been in school, not in a workshop where he was tortured.”
This tragedy has also renewed debate around child labor in Turkey. Many are asking why a 15-year-old was working in such dangerous conditions and whether enough is being done to protect children from exploitation.
Child labor remains a serious issue in parts of the country, where financial hardship pushes families to send their children to work instead of school.
“Children are dying while working,” Özçağdaş added. “And when they do, people call it a ‘joke.’ This is not a joke. This is a failure of the system to protect its most vulnerable.”
Muhammed Kendirci’s story is not just about one terrible crime—it highlights a deeper crisis of workplace safety, child protection, and justice. His parents are calling for answers, accountability, and change so no other child suffers the same fate.
As investigations continue, many are hoping that this heartbreaking case will lead to stricter enforcement of child labor laws and better protections for young workers across the country.
“Our child was killed,” said Ahmet Kendirci. “This was no joke.”
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