Pınar Gültekin feminicide case: Appeals court sentences offender to life imprisonment

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An appeals court has sentenced the man who in July 2020 killed Pınar Gültekin, a 27-year-old university student, by burning her, to aggravated life imprisonment.

The lower court had sentenced Cemal Metin A. to 23 years in prison, after reducing his sentence due to "unjust provocation."

Cemal Metin A., who was remanded in custody, and his brother, Mertcan A., attended Friday's hearing at the 4th Penal Chamber of the İzmir Regional Court of Justice via videoconference. Pınar Gültekin's mother and father, Şefika Gültekin and Sıddık Gültekin, and attorneys of both parties were present in the courtroom.

During the lawyers' statements, Şefika Gültekin left the courtroom because she "did not feel good."

"All I ask of you is justice"

Sıddık Gültekin said at the hearing, "This villain destroyed the whole family. The local court did not record the report issued by the Forensic Medicine [Institution]. The local court believed the words of this villain. We demand the heaviest sentence. All I ask of you is justice."

Rezzan Epözdemir, an attorney for the Gültekin family, said, "It is obvious that the perpetrator's act was monstrous, tormenting and premeditated. The defendant constantly changed his defense about 'unjust provocation.' His brother is a co-perpetrator."

Cemal Metin A., however, denied that he had committed the murder with monstrous feelings and by tormenting the woman. His attorneys also said the incident happened "suddenly" and the provisions of the law in their favor should be applied.

Mertcan A. rejected the allegations against him.

Handing down its judgment after a break, the court sentenced Cemal Metin A. to aggravated life imprisonment for "premeditated murder with monstrous feelings and by tormenting."

Also, the sentence should not be reduced for "good conduct" or "unjust provocation," the court concluded.

It sentenced the defendant's brother to 4 years in prison for "Destroying, concealing or altering criminal evidence."

"A landmark decision"

Speaking to reporters after the hearing, lawyer Epözdemir welcomed the appeals court decision, saying, "thankfully, the appeals court corrected the mistake. It gave a precedent decision that manifested justice."

Sıddık Gültekin said, "Justice is served, albeit late."

Şefika Gültekin said, "I'll sleep well today, even if [the decision] was late."

What happened?

Pınar Gültekin (27), a student of Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University in the Mediterranean region, was found dead on July 21, 2020, five days after she had gone missing. First Cemal Metin A., then his brother Mertcan A. were arrested as part of the investigation into her death.

A forensic medical examination found that Gültekin had been burned alive.

A lawsuit was filed against Cemal Metin A. on the charge of "killing with monstrous feeling or by tormenting" and against Mertcan A. for "destroying, hiding or tampering with criminal evidence."

While Cemal Metin A. faced an aggravated life sentence on the charges, his brother faced up to 5 years in prison.

In June 2022, a court sentenced Cemal Metin A. to 23 years in prison, after reducing his sentence due to "unjust provocation." (EMK/VK)