Ex-Turkiye kickboxing champion detained after hospitalising mosque janitor

Former Turkish world champion kickboxer Yavuz Ozden has been detained in Istanbul after assaulting a mosque janitor, leaving the victim partially paralysed, authorities confirmed Monday.

According to Turkiye Today, the attack occurred on 22 January at Emine Inanc Foundation Mosque in Zeytinburnu and was captured on security cameras. Ozden, a national team boxer, allegedly kicked open a disabled toilet door, prompting janitor Osman Amac, 38, to caution him. The two exchanged words before Amac proceeded to pray with the congregation.

Zeytinburnu’da Camii’nde görev yapan temizlik çalışanı, milli boksör Yavuz Özden tarafından darp edildi.

İddiaya göre, engelli tuvaletini kontrol etmek isteyen şahıs, kapıyı tekmeleyerek içeri girmek istedi. Görevli ise bu duruma müdahale ederek şahsa bu şekilde kontrol… pic.twitter.com/5IwGr16KMf

— Asayiş Berkemal (@asayisberkemal0) February 3, 2025

Approximately 45 minutes later, Ozden returned to the mosque entrance, assumed a fighting stance,and repeatedly struck Amac, who attempted to defend himself with a shoehorn. Worshippers intervened, but the attack left Amac with a broken jaw and partial facial paralysis.

Zeytinburnu’da Camii’nde görev yapan temizlik çalışanını darp ederek yüz felci geçirmesine neden olan boksör Yavuz Özden yakalanarak adliyeye sevk edildi. https://t.co/FtGQN4Mwof pic.twitter.com/jdFu4qy3ul

— Asayiş Berkemal (@asayisberkemal0) February 4, 2025

“He kept kicking me even after I fell to the ground,” Amac told police. He underwent surgery and remains hospitalised. Amac was later quoted by Hurriyet as saying: “I have platinum, screws, and rubber bands in my jaw. My left side is numb—I can’t feel it.” Doctors have warned of a 50 per cent chance of permanent paralysis.

Following a formal complaint from the mosque administration, police detained Ozden who was then taken to prison after being sent to court where he was accused of “intentional injury”.

READ: Turkiye arrests man for stabbing 5 at mosque