16.10.2026 17:14
In the case concerning the death of Gülizar Bingöl, who disappeared in 2015 in the Çermik district of Diyarbakır and whose body, buried in a paupers' cemetery, was identified 10 years later through facial reconstruction work, the former wife of the detained defendant Mehmet Biroğlu testified as a witness. Fatma A. said that those around her suspected Gülizar had been abducted by Biroğlu. The defendant denied the charges, and the court adjourned the hearing to November 5.
In the case regarding the death of Gülizar Bingöl, who disappeared in 2015 in the Çermik district of Diyarbakır and whose body was found 10 years later, the former wife of detained defendant Mehmet Biroğlu, Fatma A., said, “I don't know whether there was a relationship between Mehmet Biroğlu and Gülizar. Only Mehmet took Gülizar to the hospital one winter month. Also, when I learned that Gülizar had disappeared, I did not call Mehmet. Anyway, people around me suspected that Gülizar had been abducted by Mehmet.”
As part of the Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office's re-examination of old missing persons and femicide files in 2025, the Gülizar Bingöl file was also reopened. Through examination of samples taken after her grave was opened and facial reconstruction work, it was determined that the body belonged to Gülizar Bingöl, the woman who was found in 2015 at the Alacakaya marble quarry site in the Petekkaya neighborhood of Çermik and buried in the paupers' cemetery because she could not be identified.
1,027 PHONE CALLS IN 1.5 MONTHS
Within the scope of the investigation, it was determined that 1,027 phone calls were made between Gülizar Bingöl and her relative Mehmet Biroğlu during the approximately 1.5-month period before she disappeared, that DNA samples taken from the scene matched Biroğlu's samples, and that after the disappearance Biroğlu did not call Bingöl. Mehmet Biroğlu was arrested by the court he was brought before after his procedures. Gülizar Bingöl's husband, H.B., was released to be tried without detention.
In the expert report, it was determined that Mehmet Biroğlu's phone gave a signal on January 12, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, and 20, 2016, at the cave where the body was found and its surroundings, and also in the same area on January 19, 2015. It was established that the phone, which gave a signal near the Maden district on July 29, 2015, when the missing person report was filed, was turned off, was turned back on in İzmir on July 31, and remained off for about 3 days.
EX-WIFE: PEOPLE AROUND ME SUSPECTED MEHMET
The 5th hearing of the case being heard at the Ergani High Criminal Court was attended by the defendants, witnesses, parties' lawyers, and Gülizar Bingöl's relatives. Gülizar Bingöl's husband, H.B., who is being tried without detention, was not present at the hearing. Mehmet Biroğlu's former wife, Fatma A., who was heard as a witness at the hearing, said, “Mehmet Biroğlu is my former husband. Gülizar is the wife of H.B., who is my aunt's son. I last saw Gülizar in the summer of 2015. However, I don't remember when she disappeared. I learned that she had disappeared 3-4 days later. Since Gülizar was our relative, she would come to our house from time to time. At one point, there was some joking between her and Mehmet. I warned them. Also, at some time before she disappeared, I warned my mother-in-law Remziye that Gülizar should not constantly come to us. Also, on one occasion Mehmet brought a handgun home. He told me, 'I brought it to protect you.' However, I don't remember exactly when he brought it.”
Fatma A. said, “Also, on the same day I received the news that Gülizar had disappeared, Mehmet had gone to Elazığ to work. After Mehmet went to Elazığ, I received the news that Gülizar had disappeared. He returned about 3-4 days later. I don't know whether there was a relationship between Mehmet Biroğlu and Gülizar. Only Mehmet took Gülizar to the hospital one winter month. I don't know and didn't see whether they had any other conversations. Also, when I learned that Gülizar had disappeared, I did not call Mehmet. Therefore, I did not tell him that Gülizar had disappeared. Anyway, people around me suspected that Gülizar had been abducted by Mehmet.”
DEFENDANT DENIED THE ACCUSATIONS
Gülizar Bingöl's son, Umut Bingöl, stated that he did not accept the unfavorable points in the witness statement and said, “I want justice. Whoever killed my mother, I want them found and punished. My complaint continues.”
Defendant Mehmet Biroğlu also denied the accusation and said, “I did not commit such an act. Therefore, I request my release. I do not accept the parts in the documents and witness statement that are against me.”
The court panel decided to continue Mehmet Biroğlu's detention and to continue the judicial control decision for H.B. The panel, which also ruled that the fate of the letter written to appoint a representative trustee for the purpose of representing the deceased's 14-year-old son at the hearing be inquired about, adjourned the hearing to November 5.