Teenagers Face Murder Trial Over 15-Year-Old Amen Teklay's Stabbing in Glasgow
A High Court in Glasgow is hearing the trial of two teenagers, aged 16 and 17, charged with the murder of 15-year-old Amen Teklay. The incident, which occurred on 5 March 2025, in the St George's Cross area of the city, allegedly involved the masked defendants wielding a sword and a frying pan.
Prosecutors claim the pair chased and struck Amen with a sword, resulting in injuries that led to his death on Clarendon Street. Amen, an Eritrean national, resided in Glasgow with his father.
The court heard allegations of prior altercations involving the 16-year-old accused and Amen. These include a purported attack on Great Western Road on 12 February 2025, where Amen was reportedly punched and kicked by the 16-year-old and two other individuals. Furthermore, three days before Amen's death, the 16-year-old is accused of threatening behaviour, brandishing a sword and metal barrier at Amen.
The 16-year-old also faces a charge of attempting to defeat the ends of justice, having allegedly disposed of tracksuit bottoms, a bloodstained top, and the sword used in the purported attack, in an effort to avoid "detection, arrest and prosecution."
The 16-year-old's special defence for the murder charge claims self-defence, stating he was attacked by Amen Teklay, who was armed with a bladed weapon, and was defending his co-accused.
Mobile and CCTV footage presented to the jury depicted earlier confrontations between Amen and the 16-year-old, including one on 2 February 2025, near Chilo's restaurant, where Amen appeared to be attacked by three youths. Further footage showed the 16-year-old and Amen involved in a confrontation outside the Lismore Bar, where both appeared to be armed with "large knives and a machete."
A joint minute of agreed evidence confirmed Amen received emergency treatment on Clarendon Street but was pronounced dead at 22:48. Police recovered a "black and grey zombie-style knife" and a green knife sheath from the scene, with a frying pan found in a nearby bin. The trial is expected to continue until July.
