03.10.2025 13:59
The trial of Ali Osman Buzlak, who strangled his wife Hatice Agcakale Buzlak to death in a car, has begun at the 5th Heavy Penal Court in Erzurum. Buzlak stated, "She said to me, 'I cheated on you, why are you keeping me in your marriage?' I told her to 'get a divorce' three times. As the argument continued, I lost control of my nerves and strangled her to death."
Ali Osman Buzlak (21), who strangled his wife Hatice Agcakale Buzlak (24) with his hands in a car, appeared before the judge.
STRANGLED WITH HIS HANDS AND HID IN THE TRUNK
The incident occurred on April 16 at around 10:00 PM in the garden of Erzurum City Hospital. A dispute broke out between Ali Osman Buzlak and his wife Hatice Agcakale Buzlak in a parked car. During the argument, Ali Osman Buzlak strangled his wife in the car with his hands. Buzlak, who secretly married his wife on January 9 and was preparing for their wedding, placed her lifeless body in the trunk of the car. He broke a soda bottle in the vehicle and cut his own throat and wrists. After driving away, Buzlak was found motionless at the wheel in Murat Ellik Boulevard, Hüseyin Avni Ulaş Neighborhood, Palandöken district. Police and medical teams were dispatched to the scene upon notification. While Ali Osman Buzlak was taken to Erzurum City Hospital, the lifeless body of Hatice Agcakale Buzlak was found in the trunk during a search of the car. After his treatment was completed, Ali Osman Buzlak was arrested for the crime of 'intentional murder,' while Hatice Agcakale Buzlak was buried.
AGGRAVATED LIFE IMPRISONMENT SOUGHT
Ali Osman Buzlak, who was charged with 'intentional murder' against his wife, appeared before the judge for the first time in the 5th Heavy Criminal Court, where aggravated life imprisonment was sought. In the hearing, which Ali Osman Buzlak attended via SEGBİS, the lawyers of both parties and the family of Hatice Agcakale Buzlak were present. Stating that he married Hatice without informing their families, Ali Osman Buzlak noted that they started preparing for the wedding after the families found out.
"I COULDN'T CONTROL MY NERVES"
Buzlak stated, "My wife asked for expensive houses and furniture from me before the wedding. We were having arguments and fights. We separated before the incident. I sent a message to Hatice to meet one more time. When Hatice didn't respond, I asked her mother to help. Later, I convinced Hatice and we went to the parking lot behind Erzurum City Hospital in my car. We talked for about 2 hours. She insulted me, saying 'I cheated on you, why are you keeping me in your marriage?' I told her 'let go' three times. As the argument continued, I couldn't control my nerves and strangled her to death," he said.
"I FAINTED IN THE CAR"
Explaining that he placed his wife's lifeless body in the trunk of the car for fear of someone seeing it, Buzlak said they met his friend Eren in the hospital's emergency room. Buzlak stated, "Eren realized something was wrong with my behavior and asked, 'What happened?' I explained the incident. I told him to report me and left from there. I went to the car and then to the Yıldızkent neighborhood. After parking the car, I cut my wrist and throat with the broken soda bottle. I fainted in the car, and when I opened my eyes, the police were in front of me."
HEARING ADJOURNED
During the hearing, Hatice Agcakale Buzlak's mother, Emine Gürgen, stated that Ali Osman Buzlak called her while she was working and said, "Tell my daughter to look me in the eye one last time and say let's part." However, she said she responded, "This is not my decision. Whatever my daughter wants," and hung up the phone. Emine Gürgen reported that she could not see her daughter when she returned home after work and could not reach her by phone. She noted that when she called Ali Osman Buzlak, he replied, "Hatice went to the bathroom. We cried a bit. When she washes her face and comes back, I will have her call you. I will drop her off at home." Emine Gürgen stated that she learned about her daughter's death from the police. After the statements, the court decided to take the testimony of Ali Osman Buzlak's friend Eren and adjourned the hearing. Meanwhile, the court rejected the requests of Erzurum Bar Association President Mesut Öner, the lawyers of the Erzurum Bar Association Women's Rights Committee, and KADEM to participate in the case.
"WE WILL FOLLOW THIS CASE"
After the decision, Erzurum Bar Association President Lawyer Mesut Öner made a statement in front of the courthouse, saying, "Today, we attended the hearing of one of the most severe examples of violence against women. As Erzurum Bar Association, we requested to participate in the case under Article 7 of the Criminal Procedure Code, but it was rejected. Although it is not legally accepted, we will continue to follow this case. Because this is not just the daughter of Ms. Emine, but the daughter of all of us. Bar associations are not just a professional organization, but the conscience of society. We will continue our struggle for the realization of justice. We will be there so that no more of our women die," he said.