Enhil, Tur Abdin—
92-year-old Gevriye Ego (Akgüç) was murdered on November 6, 2023, after being shot five times in the head. The killing was carried out by individuals who had lain in ambush in the courtyard of his home in the village of Enhil, in Midyat, Mardin, Tur Abdin.
The perpetrators were two middle-aged Kurdish men living in Enhil. They had longstanding conflicts with Arameans over land and had been taking land from Arameans in the village.
After returning to Enhil, Gevriye Ego began helping several Aramean families with legal cases against one of the perpetrators. Land had also been taken from him, which he later reclaimed. The information and evidence he provided in court cases involving other Aramean families were strong and contributed to them winning their legal battles.
He was threatened repeatedly over a period of approximately two years and was told he would be killed if he did not stop. He refused to stop and stated that they knew where to find him. After this period of threats, he was murdered.
The first hearing in the case was held on September 26, 2024, at the Midyat Criminal Court. Testimonies were presented during the trial. A new testimony stated that the killers were two individuals who were recognized and named in court. These details had not been included in earlier statements.
During the hearing, the judge asked why these names had not been given previously. The explanation given was:
“My husband had been threatened many times, and after he was murdered with five bullets to the head that night, I became very afraid and wanted to give this testimony when the trial began.”
The trial was scheduled to continue on December 12, 2024, to hear additional witnesses and gather further information.
Following the initial hearings, legal representatives made a statement to the Turkish press stating that the murder, carried out with a firearm and with brutal intent, deeply shocked and saddened the entire Aramean community. Despite the time that had passed, many Arameans from both Turkey and abroad attended the hearing on September 26, 2024, showing strong solidarity. It was stated that the state had mobilized all its resources to ensure justice and that extensive security measures had been taken to allow the trial to proceed safely.
They emphasized that, in line with the presumption of innocence, no one can be considered guilty until the trial is concluded. Requests for an expanded investigation and the presentation of new evidence were accepted by the court, and further examinations were ordered. Based on new statements dated September 3, 2024, and the addition of new evidence, it was expressed that the case was expected to be clarified and that those responsible would receive appropriate punishment.
It was also stated that throughout the process there had been satisfaction with the level of engagement from police, judicial authorities, and state institutions. Around 100 Arameans attended the hearing, and there was an expectation across the Aramean community in the region that those responsible for killing an unarmed 92-year-old man with five gunshots to the head would be apprehended and brought to justice.
Technical reports presented in the case showed blood on the perpetrators’ clothing. Gunpowder residue was also found under their fingernails and on their clothing. Phone signal analysis showed that one phone was switched off, while another was located at the Aramean courtyard during the time of the murder. Additional evidence was presented, and it was considered strong enough that the prosecutor demanded life sentences for both individuals.
Despite this, the Midyat court ruled that these individuals were not the killers and ordered their release, stating:
“These suspects are not the murderers, and we will release them. The police will continue searching for the real perpetrators.”
An appeal will be made to a higher regional court to have the case reviewed again.
