Family of Pınar Bulunmaz, who died under suspicious circumstances, seeks justice

Report: Sinem Nazlı Demir

Pınar Bulunmaz lost her life after being shot on February 22, 2024, in the Hamidiye neighborhood of Siverek, Şanlıurfa, following an argument with her husband, Rıdvan Bulunmaz. Pınar's body was handed over to her relatives after an autopsy at the hospital morgue.

Local news sources initially reported Pınar's death to the national press as a "woman murdered in Şanlıurfa," but the incident was later referred to as a "suspicious death."

It was claimed that the gun went off suddenly during the altercation, causing Pınar's death. Pınar's family, however, has launched a comprehensive struggle for justice, as they believe she was killed by her husband, Rıdvan Bulunmaz.

7 PEOPLE DETAINED REGARDING PINAR'S DEATH

In the first weeks following the incident, 7 people were detained. Six of the suspects were released under judicial control.

In his statement to law enforcement, the defendant Rıdvan Bulunmaz claimed, in summary, that he did not commit murder, that he and Pınar Bulunmaz were arguing, that Pınar Bulunmaz left the house and ran away, that he began to follow her, then caught her, put her in the vehicle, and they talked in the vehicle, and that he then put the vehicle in reverse, at which point Pınar Bulunmaz held the gun to her right chest and fired it.

In his statement to the prosecutor's office, Rıdvan Bulunmaz said, "Pınar Bulunmaz and I are both right-handed, I usually carry the gun myself, the gun holds 13+1 rounds, but the gun was not cocked, and the magazine was completely full."

Following his statement, Bulunmaz was arrested by the Siverek Criminal Court of Peace on February 23 on charges of "intentional murder of a spouse."

A report prepared by the Diyarbakır Regional Criminal Police Laboratory Directorate on March 11 also confirmed the presence of gunshot residue on Rıdvan Bulunmaz's left hand.

Rıdvan Bulunmaz RELEASED AFTER 3 MONTHS

 During the investigation, a witness living at the scene testified, "After Pınar sat in the passenger seat and 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." Following this testimony, suspect Rıdvan Bulunmaz was released on June 11—approximately three months after his arrest—by a decision of the Siverek Criminal Court of Peace, subject to house arrest.

APPEALS AGAINST THE SUSPECT'S RELEASE WERE REJECTED

A BTK (Information and Communication Technologies Authority) report, requested to determine whether the suspect or his family members had contacted the witness before the testimony was given, revealed that one of the suspect's family members had spoken with the witness 12 times by phone shortly before the testimony.

Appeals filed by Pınar Bulunmaz's family through their lawyers against the Siverek Criminal Court of Peace's decision were rejected.

The local court's statement regarding the rejection of the appeal against Rıdvan Bulunmaz's release included the following remarks:

"It was stated that there was no impropriety in the decision regarding the release of the suspect Rıdvan Bulunmaz and that the decision was in accordance with procedure and the law."

SUSPECT'S JUDICIAL CONTROL MEASURE WAS ALSO LIFTED ON OCTOBER 24

Meanwhile, the objection filed by the Siverek Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against the release decision was rejected by the Siverek 3rd Criminal Court of First Instance on the grounds that "there was no change in the status of the evidence, no impropriety was seen in the release decision of the Siverek Criminal Judgeship of Peace, and the decision was in accordance with procedure and the law."

 The Siverek Criminal Judgeship of Peace lifted the 'house arrest' judicial control measure imposed on the suspect on October 24 and ruled for 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 subsequently lifted.

PINAR'S DEATH BROUGHT TO THE PARLIAMENTARY AGENDA

DEM Party Urfa MP Dilan Kunt Ayan brought Pınar's death to the parliamentary agenda.

Pointing out that the indictment has still not been prepared despite 10 months having passed since the incident, Ayan asked Minister of Justice Yılmaz Tunç the following questions regarding the file in a written motion submitted to the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey:

Why has the investigation into the suspicious death of Pınar Bulunmaz not been concluded for 10 months?

On what grounds was the man named Rıdvan Bulunmaz, who is under investigation for the crime of "intentional killing of a spouse," released within three months despite strong suspicion of guilt, the evidence collected, and the fact that he is the only suspect in the file?

Why did the Magistrate Court not take into account that a single witness statement was cited as the reason for Rıdvan Bulunmaz's release, while there were 12 phone calls between this witness and the perpetrator's family?

PINAR'S BROTHER: HE LEFT PINAR IN THE CAR AND WASHED HIS HANDS

Pınar's brother, Erdal Sevim, made important statements to 12punto regarding the incident.

Regarding the arguments between Pınar and her husband, Sevim stated, "The reason for their arguments was Rıdvan cheating on Pınar. The marriage ending in this way would have put Rıdvan in a bad position socially," revealing that the root cause of their disputes was infidelity.

Speaking about Rıdvan Bulunmaz's suspicious behavior after Pınar was shot, Sevim emphasized that his sister was not taken to the hospital immediately after the incident:

"After the incident, as any person would have done, Rıdvan Bulunmaz should have quickly gone to the hospital and the police, but he did not; instead, he called his family. He left Pınar in that condition inside the car and went upstairs. He changed his clothes and washed his hands."

"WE HAVE BEEN WAITING FOR THE FORENSIC REPORT FOR 10 MONTHS"

Referring to the weapon used in the incident, Sevim said, "The weapon, which fell to the base of the front seat during the incident, was found wrapped in a black plastic bag in the back pocket of the seat during the vehicle search. There are no DNA traces on the weapon."

Explaining the current status of the case, brother Erdal Sevim stated that, apart from interim hearings, the file is still in the investigation stage.

Stating that they have been waiting for the necessary reports for a long time, Sevim said, "We have been waiting for the forensic report for 10 months; we don't know why it hasn't arrived. We have suspicions about this as well. How can I trust this report when it finally comes out after 10 months?"

"THEY SENT US TOMATO PASTE, RICE, AND PICKLES AMONG HER PERSONAL BELONGINGS"

Stating that neither the suspect nor the suspect's family contacted them in any way on the day of the incident, Sevim expressed that this situation also raises suspicions with the following words:

"We could not reach any of them on the night of the incident. Another brother-in-law's colleague informed us about the incident. We did not receive any information from the other side; no one called us. Even when we called, we couldn't get an answer. We couldn't see anyone from the other side either at the hospital or when we went to collect her body. During that time, they were busy washing the blood in front of the house.

After we handled the burial procedures, Rıdvan Bulunmaz's father called and asked for permission to come. If they had done nothing wrong, why did they call and ask for permission? A while later, we asked the other side for Pınar's personal belongings. They sent us tomato paste, rice, and pickles among her personal belongings."

"AFTER PINAR WAS WOUNDED, THE SUSPECT WENT HOME AND CHANGED HIS CLOTHES"

Gülsen Taner, one of the lawyers for the case, highlighted that the suspect, Rıdvan Bulunmaz, returned home instead of going to the hospital after Pınar was wounded:

"Rıdvan Bulunmaz did not go to the hospital after Pınar was wounded; he went home. He went home, changed his clothes, and washed his face and hands. In such a situation, why would he change his clothes?"

Referring to the information regarding the weapon used in the incident, which was included in the evidence list form attached to the crime scene investigation report, Taner stated, "There is an evidence list form attached to the crime scene investigation report in our file. This report states that the weapon used in the incident has a capacity of 13 cartridges. The suspect also stated in his testimonies that the weapon was loaded and had a 13+1 bullet capacity. However, there were 10 bullets left in the weapon that was seized."

"THEY HAVE CREATED A NARRATIVE OF THEIR OWN. THE SUSPECT MUST BE ARRESTED IMMEDIATELY"

Drawing attention to the suspicious behavior of the suspect's family, lawyer Gülsen Taner demands an effective investigation and a realistic examination of the evidence:

"The suspect Rıdvan Bulunmaz's brother is a police officer, and he himself is a prison guard. Why was the weapon found wrapped in a black plastic bag in the back pocket of the front seat? When we consider all these pieces of evidence and suspicions, the suspect must be arrested immediately to prevent him from fleeing. They have created a narrative of their own, and the testimonies were given according to this narrative. However, despite all their efforts, we have identified contradictions in the testimonies, and we will continue to do so."

"THE CHILD'S FATHER BEGGED THE FAMILY OF THE AKP MAYORAL CANDIDATE"

 Meanwhile, a notable development has occurred during the process in which Pınar's family continues their struggle for justice. Messages sent to a social media account opened to shed light on Pınar Bulunmaz's suspicious death by an anonymous user, who provided details regarding the case, have raised suspicions.

In the messages, the user pointed out aspects of the case that have not yet been shared with the public, claiming that Rıdvan Bulunmaz and his family are trying to cover up the file with the following words:

 "This boy's uncle has been working at the courthouse for 20 years. On the night of the incident, they tried to handle the situation with the prosecutors and judges. His brother also works in land registry affairs in Şanlıurfa; they have a wide network. The boy's father officially begged the family of the AKP mayoral candidate, the family known as the Bucaks, to resolve the matter."

News Source: Sinem Nazlı Demir