The trial over the murder of a young child in Kurdish-majority southeastern Turkey erupted in chaos on Friday when spectators confronted the father about the death of his 8-year-old daughter Narin Güran.
Four defendants appeared in chains at Diyarbakır’s (Amed) main courthouse – the child’s mother Yüksel, brother Enes, uncle Salim and their neighbour Nevzat Bahtiyar. All face life sentences for allegedly murdering the young girl in what prosecutors describe as a family conspiracy.
“I was in the city when she disappeared,” testified Narin’s older brother Baran Güran, describing events in their village near Diyarbakır last August. “When I heard, I rushed to the village. There was a crowd at the mosque. At home they told me Narin was missing, so I called emergency services.”
The courtroom grew tense when lawyer Nahit Eren spoke about examining evidence at the forensics institute: “I made sure they didn’t show you the body. But you could smell what was coming from outside. That’s what I’m investigating – whoever did this to her.”
Father Arif Güran’s attempt to silence this line of questioning sparked fury from observers who shouted: “Enough lies! Tell us what you did to Narin.”
A red sandal found during the 19-day search became a focus of testimony. Witness Muhammet Kaya claimed he discovered it on a village road, while Narin’s mother said she identified it as possibly her daughter’s by its colour.
On the first day of the trial, held on Thursday, defendant Nevzat Bahtiyar claimed he was offered money to take responsibility for her killing, casting doubt on the integrity of the investigation. “I was offered money to confess, but I refused,”
The hearing was cut short when Arif Güran collapsed and was taken to hospital. The trial continues.
