Unanswered questions surrounding Dina's 'Suspected Death'

"I could see the basement of the building across from my apartment. Later, I understood from the voice of a girl, whom I later learned was Dina, that she wanted to escape."

"She was screaming, trying to open the window. I shouted, 'Let the girl go.' The girl was trying to run away, and a few guys were not letting her. Finally, I said, 'Will you let the girl go, or should I call the police?'"

We are in the first hearing of the trial opened for the murder of Gabonese university student Jeannah Dinabongho Ibouanga, whose lifeless body was found in Filyos River on the Zonguldak-Karabük road.

We are listening to a female university student as a witness who came from Afghanistan to study in Karabük.

The courtroom falls silent as she speaks.

A female migrant who came to Turkey to study recounts incidents of male violence against another migrant woman.

Summoning all her courage, the student continues:

"I saw a man pushing the girl away from the window. There was silence for a while. Then, I heard the voices again. I shouted, 'let her go.' They didn't. I called the police. I pointed the phone to the balcony to show that I was calling the police, and they let the girl go."

"The girl jumped from the railing that leads from the building across to our building's garden. Her pants were torn. I asked in English, 'Should I come?' She said, 'No.' She went to the adjacent building. From there, she went out to the street. She ran barefoot, distancing herself. One person ran after Dina."

Following the university student's testimony, which she has given in front of police officers who have heard it several times before, I leave the courtroom as she exits.

A couple of police officers also follow.

I ask the woman, "Did you call the police, and did they come?" She seems nervous and visibly anxious. She nods her head, indicating "yes."

The reason why this testimony, which is also on record with the police, deeply affects all of us, is not only because of the effort the female student made to save Dina but also because the prosecution has not taken into account this one and a few similar statements in the indictment prepared.

Moreover, there is a second witness who testifies similarly about Dina's murder. However, in this hearing, we haven't heard from this witness.

The Karabük Republic Prosecutor's Office prepared the indictment starting from the section narrated by the detained defendant Dursun A.

In other words, it appears that Dina, seemingly escaping from the basement where she was forcibly held, runs barefoot while being pursued. In the presence of those following her, she stops the taxi of the defendant Dursun A. and gets in.

Are the two incidents independent? Is there absolutely no connection between them? If there is a connection, what is it? Or has any action been taken against these two individuals? Has an investigation been initiated?

The contradictions regarding Dina's suspicious murder begin right here. Why is the prosecution not delving into the issue of Dina being held in the basement?

What other contradictions are there?

1- Has the suspicion been lifted on the seven individuals for whom a decision of non-prosecution was made?

In the Dina investigation, the prosecution decided not to prosecute seven people, including Gabonese students. The person of particular interest here is the public post company PTT employee S.Ç.

This individual claims that the phone sent to Dina's mother went to the wrong address and says that if Dina does what he wants, he will help her. It is even mentioned that he exerted pressure for sexual relations.

The prosecution argues that there is not strong evidence against this person. However, the lawyers of the detained defendant Dursun A. emphasize the need for a reevaluation of this individual.

2- Why was Dina's psychology so disturbed, and why did she feel under pressure?

Once again, defendant Dursun A.'s lawyers described Dina's psychology as poor. They didn't explicitly say it, but they hinted that she might have harmed herself.

Is the reason for Dina's psychological breakdown the pressure she was under? The pressures from S.Ç.? We are talking about a 17-year-old child who was confined to a basement and tried to escape from there.

According to a rumor circulating in the city, a "gang" involving state officials allegedly paid Dina to Dursun A., who reportedly said, "I like black women," and had black women's photos on his phone. How thoroughly has the prosecution investigated this claim?

3- Were S.Ç. and Dursun A. together for a while on the night of the incident?

According to feminist lawyers representing Dina's family, detained defendant Dursun A. and S.Ç. were briefly together on the night of the incident. There are also call detail records (HTS) supporting this.

4- Why did Dina suddenly want to get out of defendant Dursun A.'s taxi?

According to the defendant's account, Dursun A. went out that night to buy cigarettes. Suddenly, a wounded girl jumped in front of his taxi, and he, in an attempt to help, took her into the car. When he asked the girl, "why is your face injured?" he received the response, "sister beat me, sister beat me."

Dina was sitting in the back seat. She said, "Take me to the hospital." He continued on the road to take her to the state hospital on the secondary road. But then, for reasons unknown to him, Dina got out of the taxi and ran away.

At this point, Dina's family's lawyers claimed that Dursun A. was trying to exploit Dina. The defendant denied this allegation. The presiding judge also inquired: Why did Dina suddenly, especially while going to the hospital, get out of the vehicle as if fleeing? What happened?

5- Why didn't the defendant tell anyone about this incident?

After Dina got out of the car, the defendant went home. According to his and the witness's accounts, everything was normal.

The witness says there was no difference in his behavior at home. Isn't it interesting, in your opinion, that you pick up a woman in your car to "help," she then gets out of the vehicle and runs away, and you don't tell anyone at home as if nothing happened?

Lawyers from "Feminists for Dina" claim that there are multiple suspects in the suspicious death of Dina.

In both the trial and in statements made before and after the trial, they emphasized that the prosecution did not conduct the investigation thoroughly. They stated that the investigation was inadequately carried out.

In fact, during the initial hearing on November 8, they requested separate investigations for both incidents - the basement where Dina was detained and the location where she got out of the taxi and went to Filyos River.

The court has not yet announced its decision on this matter. The next hearing for the case is scheduled for January 24.

Karabük University is one of the universities with one of the highest numbers of international students.

A 17-year-old student, hosted at their school under bilateral agreements, suspiciously loses her life, despite the substantial fees they charge for her to be able to study.

Only one official from Karabük University made a statement previously about this issue but without even mentioning Dina's name, but why hasn't any official from the university been following the case?

Another question is this:

After Dina's death, did the university increase its security measures?

May it be a week of equality and freedom. 

Feminists object to Dina's indictment: 'A single defendant is unacceptable'

2 November 2023

TRIAL REGARDING MURDER OF GABONESE UNIVERSITY STUDENT DINA STARTS:

Feminist lawyers of Dina's case: 'There has not been an effective investigation'

8 November 2023

(EMK/PE)