Mehmet Ağar testifies for the first time in the Umut Case! Did he say, 'If I pull the brick, the wall will collapse'?

The 13th hearing was held for the case opened regarding 22 unsolved murders that took place in Ankara in the 1990s, including those of journalist-author Uğur Mumcu, academic Bahriye Üçok, former Ankara Bar Association president Muammer Aksoy, and politician Ahmet Taner Kışlalı.

In the case, known publicly as the "Umut Case," former General Director of Security and former Minister of the Interior Mehmet Ağar testified for the first time.

AĞAR ATTENDED VIA SEGBİS

Mehmet Ağar connected to the hearing held at the Ankara 5th High Criminal Court from Istanbul via the Audio and Video Information System (SEGBİS), citing health issues. The court had previously sent a notification to Ağar to provide testimony.

The reason for this summons was an allegation included in the Mumcu family's petition that has been a subject of debate for years. According to this, it was alleged that after Uğur Mumcu's death, Ağar, who paid a condolence visit to his wife Güldal Mumcu, said, "It is as if a wall is being built," and when Güldal Mumcu reminded him of the words "Pull a brick, let the wall collapse," Ağar replied, "I cannot pull the brick."

"UĞUR ASKED ME FOR DOCUMENTS"

In his testimony, Mehmet Ağar stated that he and Uğur Mumcu had met many times in the past and said:

"We used to meet with Mr. Uğur frequently. We would often go to his house and exchange ideas. He said he was preparing a book about Kazım Karabekir at the time. He asked me for some information, and I gave him those documents."

Ağar also recalled that he and Güldal Mumcu knew each other from Mülkiye, saying, "I have known Güldal since our school days."

"MY CONSCIENCE IS CLEAR"

Upon the presiding judge reminding him of the "wall" allegation on the agenda, Ağar stated:

"This wall issue was misunderstood. The matter grew and expanded as it was repeated incorrectly. I was the Governor of Erzurum during this incident. I had no connection with the police force. Uğur and I looked at the country the same way. Our concerns were the same; we wanted a fully independent Turkey... My conscience is clear regarding this matter. It is being portrayed as if there was a specific intent. There is no truth to this. This case is a matter of honor for every police officer."

REACTION FROM ÖZGE MUMCU

During the hearing, Uğur Mumcu's daughter, Özge Mumcu, objected to Mehmet Ağar's words, "Uğur and I had a legal relationship." Reacting by saying, "No, there was no such thing," Özge Mumcu caused a brief moment of tension in the courtroom.

When asked by the judge, "How close was your relationship with Uğur Mumcu?" Ağar replied, "We would talk about the issue of international terrorism; that was the kind of relationship we had."

I DO NOT MAKE ASSESSMENTS WITHOUT EVIDENCE

To the presiding judge's question, "A former Air Force general said Mossad and Israel were involved in this business. What do you think?" Ağar gave the following response:

"It would be wrong for me to make an assessment without concrete evidence. Since our business is law, we make assessments within the framework of the law. I do not want to make an incorrect assessment."

Regarding his observations within the police force, Ağar used the following words:

"I said everything I knew about this assassination in the parliamentary commission... When I was in lower ranks, it was thought that Russia was doing these things. As I rose to higher ranks, we saw that our allies, the USA and Western countries, were carrying out these types of operations. It could be, why not?"

"WE HAVE NO CONNECTION TO GLADIO"

To the lawyers' questions about the "Gladio" structure, Ağar replied, "We have nothing to do with Gladio. What we did were entirely legal Ministry affairs."

To Özge Mumcu's question, "Was there any pressure on you regarding this case?" Ağar replied, "Who is going to put pressure on me? I am not going to bow to any illegal pressure. If I had the slightest bit of information, I would pass it on."

HEARING ADJOURNED TO FEBRUARY 2026

Many allegations were brought back to the agenda during the hearing, which took place under security measures. The court panel adjourned the case to February 9, 2026.

News Source: 12punto