Yusuf Cinar, a 22-year-old Turk, is on trial for his alleged association with a terrorist organization linked to the murder of Samuel Paty. Accused of sharing graphic content in a Snapchat group with the perpetrator, Cinar recounts his troubled upbringing and fascination with violent imagery. He claims ignorance of Anzorov’s violent intentions and expresses remorse, extending condolences to Paty’s family while facing potential imprisonment for his actions.
Trial of Yusuf Cinar: A Complex Case Unfolds
This Thursday morning marked a pivotal moment in the trial surrounding the tragic murder of Samuel Paty, with Yusuf Cinar being the last individual to take the stand. This 22-year-old Turk, who has spent the last four years in isolation, currently faces serious charges for his alleged involvement with a terrorist organization, which could lead to a thirty-year prison sentence.
Allegations and Connections to the Crime
The prosecution has leveled accusations against Cinar for his participation in the Snapchat group ‘Zbrr,’ which was shared with Abdoullakh Anzorov. This group was reportedly used to disseminate Anzorov’s claim of responsibility as well as graphic images of Samuel Paty’s body. Additionally, Cinar faces charges for sharing videos and tributes related to the terrorist’s actions.
Cinar recounted his acquaintance with Anzorov, stating, “We are close because we live next to each other, but we don’t have each other’s phone numbers. We never hung out together, ate together.” With his long hair tied back, trimmed beard, black jacket, and white shirt, Cinar described a challenging upbringing, having been subjected to strict religious practices by a radical father and later finding a form of freedom following his parents’ divorce.
His adolescent years were marred by incidents that led to his expulsion from school, including throwing a bottle of hydrochloric acid into a kindergarten construction site in 2017. Cinar explained his actions by saying, “At that time, doing that kind of stunt was in fashion.” In another incident in 2018, he brought a knife and a BB gun to school.
Struggling with his circumstances, Cinar sought refuge in alcohol, drugs, and online content, often indulging in disturbing imagery and videos, including those depicting violence. He shared, “I watched beheading videos, not just from Daesh, but also from drug traffickers. It gave me chills.” Despite this dark exploration, he harbored dreams of becoming a social media star or a sniper, which led him to create a Facebook account named ‘Kalash klh’ for sharing his content.
In 2020, Cinar joined the ‘Zbrr’ group alongside Anzorov and co-defendant Ismaïl Gamaev. He insisted that the group’s discussions did not include any references to Charlie Hebdo caricatures or materials from Paty’s class.
On the day of the tragedy, Anzorov sent a message requesting prayers for a test, which Cinar misinterpreted, believing it was for a high school exam. Shortly after, Anzorov shared the horrific image of Samuel Paty’s decapitated head, to which Cinar reacted with disbelief, stating, “Who would believe something like that? For me, it was impossible that Abdoullakh did something like that.” He further clarified that upon receiving the image, they thought it was a download from Google due to its lack of visible blood.
After the murder, Cinar confronted Anzorov outside his home, shouting about his friend’s actions before being arrested while in possession of a knife. After a brief release, he shared Anzorov’s tweet featuring the disturbing image of Paty, which led to his subsequent arrest on October 18 and eventual incarceration on December 20.
Investigators later discovered a photo of Anzorov’s corpse on Cinar’s devices, accompanied by a broken heart emoji, and a picture of the terrorist alive adorned with hearts. Cinar expressed regret for sharing the photo, explaining that he found it on a Russian site. He maintained that he had no prior knowledge of Anzorov’s intentions, stating, “Abdoullakh had zero problems. How can I know he could carry out an attack, he always had a smile.” In a final plea, Cinar extended his sympathies to Paty’s family, asserting, “I am wholeheartedly with the Paty family, I will be wholeheartedly with them until my last breath.”