Court Grants 'Discretionary Reduction' to Rıdvan Bulunmaz, Who Killed His Wife: “If We Had Wanted to Kill Her, We Would Have Done It in a Secluded Corner(!)'

SİNEM NAZLI DEMİR

Pınar Bulunmaz lost her life on February 22, 2024, in the Siverek district of Şanlıurfa after being wounded by a firearm following an argument inside a vehicle with the man she was married to, Rıdvan Bulunmaz. Following the incident, Rıdvan Bulunmaz was arrested but was released three months later.

DISCRETIONARY REDUCTION GRANTED TO RIDVAN BULUNMAZ, WHO KILLED PINAR

The prepared indictment demanded that Rıdvan Bulunmaz be sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment for the crime of "intentional killing of a spouse." In the first hearing held on February 12, 2025, security camera footage and forensic reports contradicted Rıdvan Bulunmaz’s claim of suicide. After a struggle lasting approximately 25 months, 31-year-old Rıdvan Bulunmaz was sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment for the crime of "intentional killing of a female spouse." The court applied a discretionary reduction, citing the defendant's lack of a prior criminal record, and reduced the sentence to life imprisonment.

“THE DEFENDANT SPENT 16 OF THE 25 MONTHS WITHOUT BEING DETAINED”

Speaking to 12Punto, Pınar’s brother, Erdal Sevim, described the struggle they have been waging for months and his thoughts on the court's reduction decision:

“We were not expecting a discretionary reduction; we were surprised when we heard this decision. There is a 25-month struggle, and the defendant spent 16 months of this 25-month process without being detained. The exact equivalent of the committed murder in the penal code is an aggravated life sentence. The demeanor of the individuals who commit this act in courtrooms should not overshadow the act itself. The behavior of criminals in court should not suppress the crime they committed. Throughout the court process, a suicide narrative was constructed from the very beginning, and they have continued to tell the same scenario for 25 months. The defendant gave contradictory statements, which caused this file to last for 2 years. Considering all of this, we will submit our necessary appeals and make our required requests for the sentence to be converted to an aggravated life sentence.”

“THEY CONTINUE TO SLANDER PINAR”

Stating that the granted reduction has a resonance in society and encourages criminals, Erdal Sevim said that criminals must receive the punishment they deserve:

“There is a mindset of 'he did it for the first time, let's overlook it.' However, these decisions send a message to society that 'deserved punishments are not being given.' For this reason, such reductions should be completely abandoned. A good lesson could have been taught to those who think 'I can do whatever I want,' but it was not.”

Recounting the events on the day of the verdict hearing, Pınar’s brother, Erdal Sevim, expressed that Rıdvan Bulunmaz’s relatives reacted to the decision:

“In the final hearing, Rıdvan Bulunmaz continued to claim that Pınar committed suicide and that he tried to prevent her. His lawyers also continued their defense in the same manner. In one of the previous hearings, one of Rıdvan Bulunmaz’s lawyers had said in court, 'If we had wanted to kill her, we would have done it in a secluded corner.' We are talking about a segment of people who can comfortably say this in court. We were not expecting remorse from such a family and circle anyway. After the verdict was announced, the opposing side complained to the court, saying, 'What kind of decision is this?' They even turned to the presiding judge and made certain remarks. For this reason, they were removed from the courtroom. The slanders of the opposing side still continue. They have nothing in their hands, and they continue to slander Pınar, who cannot express herself.”

“OUR STRUGGLE IS NOT OVER, WE NEED SUPPORT”

Stating that the struggle is not over and that a longer process might be awaiting them, Sevim called on the public to support Pınar’s case:

“This is not the punishment for this crime; my sister is not alive right now. However, this criminal is still continuing his life. Our struggle is not over; we are waiting for the response from the higher courts for our appeals. A much longer process may be awaiting us. We still need support. Today, tomorrow, and the day after, Pınar needs her voice to be heard. We need everyone who can support us on this path.”

News Source: 12punto