Rezan Epözdemir explains: What is the mystery of the bag found in Cem Garipoğlu's grave?

Garipoğlu's grave was opened 10 years later due to suspicions that he might still be alive, and during the exhumation process, it was observed that there was no shroud in the grave.

While identification had become difficult because the integrity of the bones had deteriorated, a development occurred inside the grave that made the process even more bizarre.

A transparent bag that had maintained its integrity was found inside the grave, creating the appearance that the bones and skull had been placed there later with this bag.

Lawyer Rezan Epözdemir joined a live broadcast on Sözcü TV and shared his assessments regarding the ongoing process. Here are his statements about the bag found in the grave and the latest situation:

Inside the grave, there was a 30-by-30 centimeter bag that had not lost its integrity. It gives the impression that the bones and skull were placed there later. This should be seized; in a situation where even the shroud has disappeared, it does not sound logical for the bag to have been sitting there for years. Our request to open the grave, seize the bag, and conduct examinations on it is currently before the Silivri Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

If a bag was left there 10 years ago, it is very, very difficult to understand how it could remain tied for years. This will be the knot in this process; the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office must accept this and approve the examination of the bag. Otherwise, the public conscience will not be at ease.

The presence of the bag inside the grave is a very abnormal situation; finding a bag in a grave is very suspicious... After our request, I hope there will be a DNA analysis on that bag. If it was left recently—which it appears to be, as there is no deformation—those who left it there can be identified.

Was Cem Garipoğlu's family there during the exhumation?

No one from the family members was there during the exhumation process; at our request, biological data regarding the family was collected. Saliva and blood samples were taken from the mother and father to be used in this new examination...

They said the family would not come to collect the body. The tombstone is neglected, the public conscience is very disturbed; I hope our request is accepted. As a lawyer, the issue of the bag needs to be clarified and the public conscience needs to be relieved...

Will the bones found in the cemetery reveal whether the body belongs to Cem Garipoğlu?

That was the reason we requested DNA samples from the family members; our request was accepted, and as of yesterday, samples were taken from the family. As long as there is no disinformation regarding the bones—which does not seem to be the case—we should be able to make this determination.

As a result, what are your expectations from the process?

We have approached the end of a process that has lasted for many years and in which there were many deficiencies and uncertainties in the case file. The public conscience is very disturbed, and it is of great importance that one of the most significant murders in Turkish history is clarified and whether Cem Garipoğlu is alive or not is understood. This murder created great awareness, and we want justice for the sake of relieving the public conscience. My clients' hopes and futures were taken away, not just their children.

Isn't it interesting that Cem Garipoğlu started learning Chinese before he was found dead in prison?

As you said, this language is very difficult to learn, and considering Garipoğlu's situation, he was in a position where learning it would not have been of much benefit to him. He also wanted to go to law school and told his family, 'Get me out of here.' We had already received numerous messages during the trial process claiming that Cem Garipoğlu was in Russia and China...

What is the family's situation?

Süreyya Bey and Nagihan Hanım are naturally very upset; his father says, 'I don't believe Cem Garipoğlu is in the grave,' and they say it is not normal that his family did not offer their condolences to us. Upon his father's request, we did what we could and carried out the exhumation; we are going through an extraordinary process, and I hope that justice will be served at the end of this process. We can say it is a gratifying decision on behalf of the family.

News Source: 12punto