Request for recusal in Pınar Gültekin feminicide case

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Standing trial for killing university student Pınar Gültekin in Muğla, defendants Cemal Metin Avcı and his brother Mertcan Avcı had their second hearing at the Muğla 3rd Heavy Penal Court yesterday (January 4).

The defendants attended the hearing from prison via the Audio and Visual Information System (SEGBİS) while Pınar Gültekin's relatives, the attorney of the Ministry of Family, Labor and Social Services, lawyers from the Muğla Bar Association, members of women's rights organizations and attorneys of the parties were in the courtroom in Muğla.

CLICK - 'Pınar Gültekin's killing was a premeditated murder'

'I want another judge'

Rezan Epözdemir, the attorney of the Gültekin family, indicated that the court board was trying to reduce the sentence to be given to the defendant due to unjust provocation and demanded recusal. Sıddık Gültekin, the father of Pınar Gültekin, also said, "I do not believe that a fair ruling will be given in this trial. I want another judge" and left the courtroom.

The request for recusal of attorney Epözdemir has been sent to the Muğla 1st Heavy Penal Court. The next hearing is on February 15.

'Court is trying to whitewash the defendant'

Gültekin family's attorney Rezan Epözdemir then addressed the reporters in front of the courthouse. Indicating that the court was trying to whitewash the defendant, he said that they raised a request for recusal.

Referring to the reports added to the case file, Epözdemir also noted that the defendant was sane and had full criminal liability.

Arguing that they were faced with a murder which had been committed in a very planned and organized manner, attorney Epözdemir claimed that "very interesting" defenses were made to minimize the criminal responsibility and to benefit from a reduced sentence due to ujnust provocation.

CLICK - Murder suspect of Pınar Gültekin arrested

'Expert report is not satisfying'

Epözdemir also announced that the expert report regarding the on-site examination at the scene of the incident was delivered to them:

"The expert report has not satisfied us. We do not think that it is very scientific, suitable for judgement or can be a basis for the judgement. We will request an expert report to be prepared by physics and chemical engineers. This will at least be effective in the course of the trial."

Epözdemir also noted that they were waiting for the Forensic Medical Report regarding the time and cause of Pınar Gültekin's death.

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 got missing. First Cemal Metin Avcı, then his brother Mertcan Avcı have been arrested as part of the investigation into her death.

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

While Cemal Metin Avcı now faces aggravated life sentence on the offense charged, his brother faces up to 5 years in prison. (RT/SD)