Main suspect in Pınar Bulunmaz case released!

Sinem Nazlı Demir - 12punto.com.tr

Pınar Bulunmaz lost her life after being shot with a firearm following an argument with her husband, Rıdvan Bulunmaz, in the Hamidiye neighborhood of Şanlıurfa's Siverek district on February 22, 2024. Pınar's body was handed over to her relatives following an autopsy at the hospital morgue. Local news sources reported Pınar's death to the national press as a "woman murdered in Şanlıurfa," but the incident later began to be referred to as a "suspicious death." It was alleged that the gun went off suddenly during the fight, causing Pınar's death.

Pınar's family, believing that Pınar was killed by her husband Rıdvan Bulunmaz, launched a comprehensive struggle for justice. Seven people were detained in connection with Pınar's death. In the first weeks following the incident, seven people were taken into custody. Six of the detained suspects were released under judicial control conditions. Rıdvan Bulunmaz was arrested by the Siverek Criminal Court of Peace on February 23 following his statement on charges of "intentional killing of a spouse." 

RIDVAN BULUNMAZ RELEASED AFTER 3 MONTHS

During the investigation phase, after a witness living at the scene of the incident testified, "After Pınar sat in the passenger seat, just as the vehicle was about to move, I saw Pınar, who was sitting in the front passenger seat, pointing the gun at herself with her right hand," the defendant Rıdvan Bulunmaz was released on June 11, approximately 3 months after his arrest, with a house arrest measure (not leaving the residence) by the decision of the Siverek Criminal Court of Peace. 

DEFENDANT'S JUDICIAL CONTROL MEASURE ALSO LIFTED

The Siverek Criminal Court of Peace lifted the "judicial control measure of not leaving the residence" imposed on the defendant on October 24 and ordered a judicial control measure requiring him to sign in on certain days of the week. Consequently, the house arrest decision previously issued for Rıdvan Bulunmaz was also lifted shortly thereafter. 

MAIN SUSPECT NOT ARRESTED AGAIN

At the end of an investigation lasting nearly a year, a lawsuit was filed against the defendant Rıdvan Bulunmaz by the Siverek 2nd High Criminal Court for the crime of "intentional killing of a spouse." The second hearing of the case was held on April 11 at the Siverek High Criminal Court.

The court decided that the defendant R.B. should continue to be tried without arrest. The next hearing was postponed to July 4, 2025. 

REQUEST MADE TO TRANSFER THE HEARING TO ANOTHER CITY

Before the hearing, the family of the defendant R.B. attacked the family of Pınar Bulunmaz. Following this development, the Bulunmaz family's lawyers applied to the Ministry of Justice for security reasons and requested that the case be transferred to another city. 

Pınar's brother Erdal Sevim stated that the local press initially reported Pınar's death as a "murder," but that it was later attempted to be framed as a suspicious suicide. "Even though it was referred to as suspicious, it was clearly written in local news channels that this was a murder. Later, a narrative was constructed and an attempt was made to frame the situation as a suicide in a different way," said Sevim, pointing out that the process has not been transparent or fair from the beginning. 

'THERE ARE COURTHOUSE CONNECTIONS, EVIDENCE TAMPERING, AND NEGLIGENCE'

Sevim alleged that the defendant's side has connections with influential figures in the region, stating, "The fact that some of the family members work at the courthouse and that the individuals are well-known in the region affects the process. Reports are not issued regularly, and some elements are ignored. The failure to issue a confidentiality order on the file allowed the defendant's side to alter or even destroy evidence," he expressed. 

'MY SISTER WAS NOT SOMEONE WHO WOULD COMMIT SUICIDE'

Stating that his sister was continuing her normal life in the days before the incident and showed no signs of suicide, Erdal Sevim said, "We know that she was alone before her husband arrived, that she had an IV drip to recover, and that she was preparing to go to work the next day. It is impossible for us to believe that such a person would commit suicide."

Pointing out that the physical findings at the scene also contained contradictions, Sevim said, "According to Rıdvan's account, Pınar held the gun to her chest with her right hand. However, the bullet traveled downwards from under her left shoulder. This is physically impossible. This is clear proof that my sister did not commit suicide."

Sevim said that the "suicide framing" narrative frequently encountered in femicides should end with this case:

"We witness the protection of the perpetrator behind every femicide with explanations like 'she fell from the balcony,' 'she slipped,' or 'she committed suicide.' We no longer believe these lies. This case should ensure that an exemplary decision is made not only for Pınar but also to prevent other women from being killed in the future." 

'THE DEFENDANT MUST BE PUNISHED IN THE HARSHEST WAY'

Stating that as a family, they continue their search for justice despite all obstacles, Sevim said, "The defendant must be punished in the harshest way. If this sentence is not given, we will face a picture where men who kill women are emboldened. We are Pınar's voice, and we will not be silent until justice is served for her."