In the case regarding the rape and death of Italian peace activist and artist Giuseppina Pasqualina Di Marineo -known as Pippa Bacca-, the main murder suspect changes previous testimony, alleging his innocence.

The fifth hearing of the trial was held in Kocaeli 1st High Criminal Court. Feminists, women's rights activists as well as Bacca's sister Antonia Di Marineo attended today's hearing.

Rights activist Hasbiye Günkacti, recalled the hearing for bianet:

"Suspect Murat Karatas claimed that he had been pulled over shortly after picking Bacca up. Three gunmen threathened him and he passed away. When he gained consciousness, Bacca was lying beside him, dead. Afraid, he claimed to hide the vody and run away."

Karatas had confessed to rape and murder on previous interrogations. He was caught when the police tracked Bacca's mobile phone. Now, Karatas says he dropped the device accidentally in his truck. 

The change of events came following the coroner's forensic report, which revealed that Bacca had been raped by two or three men before being murdered. Bacca's family lawyer Mehmet Eke asked the court to demand CCTV recordings from the tunnel Karatas claims to have been pulled over. The case is postponed to March 26th.

"If this crime involves more than one person, the situation gets more grave" Bacca's sister said. "On the other hand, the suspect seems to have a wide imagination. I urge the jurisdiction to give the highst possible penalty without dragging this case on and on."

"We, as women, are a part in this case. Bacca was killed because she was a woman. We'll follow this case to make sure it sets a positive example."

Marineo had left Milano with her artist friend Silvia Moro, planning to reach Tel-Aviv, hitchiking with weddin gowns. 33 year old Italian artist had gone missing on March 31st, 2008 while passing through Turkey. Her body was found on April 12th.(EZÖ/EÜ)