Hasan Kaya was a Turkish citizen who joined the civilian resistance during the July 15 2016 military coup attempt and lost his life due to gunfire fired by coup soldiers on the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge in Istanbul. Kaya, who went to the bridge to defend democracy and the national will, is among the symbolic figures of the civilian resistance.

Hasan Kaya was born in 1969. Living in Istanbul with his family he was married and a father of two children. He earned his livelihood through small business and was known in his community for his patriotism and generosity.

On the night of July 15 2016 after learning of the coup attempt Hasan Kaya immediately took to the streets to defend his homeland and the national will. He quickly reached the Fatih Sultan Mehmet Bridge and stood against the coup soldiers who had blocked the bridge with one-way traffic to prevent civilians from passing. Severely wounded by gunfire fired by the coup soldiers at the civilian crowd Hasan Kaya attained the rank of martyr at the scene.

^{Şehit Hasan Kaya Kız Anadolu İmam Hatip Lisesi} (KİHMED)

Following his martyrdom several educational institutions were named after Hasan Kaya to honor his memory and pass it on to future generations:

This educational institution operating under the Ministry of National Education has been named the Shahid Hasan Kaya Girls’ Anatolian Imam Hatip High School in honor of the martyr. Various commemorative corners and events are organized within the school to educate students about the martyr’s life and the July 15 struggle.

^{Şehit Hasan Kaya Ortaokulu} (MEB)

Another educational institution under the Ministry of National Education has been named Shahid Hasan Kaya Middle School to preserve the martyr’s name and struggle. This school upholds the sacred memory of Shahid Hasan Kaya with the mission of instilling love for the homeland and national consciousness in its students.