Guran’s body was found near a stream in Turkey’s southeastern Kurdish province of Diyarbakir (Amed) after a 19-day search, sparking protests and raising suspicions over the circumstances of the Kurdish girl’s death.
Turkish state media reported that a man identified as “Nevzat B” had confessed to authorities that he was tasked by Guran’s uncle, the chieftain of the village, to dispose of the girl’s body.
“Salim Guran pointed to something wrapped in a blanket on the front passenger seat of the vehicle and said, ‘You will destroy this.’... I realized that it was a person lying motionless wrapped in a blanket. Salim Guran said, “Think about your family. I will give you 200,000 liras,” read the confession, as reported by Turkish public broadcaster TRT World.
Pro-Kurdish media identified the man as "Nevzat Bahtiyar."
Bahityar claimed he and the chieftain had participated in the search efforts for the girl, whose body was found near a stream.
Search teams from Diyarbakir and Ankara coordinated over 19 days before locating the body.
Turkish authorities were able to track a red car near the stream on the day Guran was reported missing on August 21 by using footage from surveillance cameras close to her home, according to state media.
Diyarbakir Governor Murat Zorluoglu said at a press conference on Sunday that the body was found in a sack, concealed with stones and twigs.
Turkish authorities have arrested 24 people in connection with the case, including members of Guran's family - her father, brother, uncle, and cousins are among those detained. Her body was sent to forensic experts to determine the exact cause of death.
There had been suspicion particularly surrounding Guran’s father and brother.
Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan vowed to “ensure that those who murdered Guran are brought to justice,” in a statement on X on Sunday.
