Later, when she became physically stronger, she was increasingly terrified of moving through the underground passages.
He claimed he had suggested leaving many times.
According to him, Layan repeatedly refused.
“I didn’t want to hurt her,” he told investigators.
One officer leaned forward.
“Did you know her father was searching for her?”
Imran lowered his gaze.
“I knew she had a family.”
“Did you know she had been reported missing?”
“I suspected.”
“Then why didn’t you tell anyone?”
The old man remained silent.
The officer repeated the question.
Finally, Imran answered.
“At first, I thought I could bring her out myself. Later, I was afraid that strangers would force her to leave before she was ready.”
“That decision wasn’t yours to make.”
Imran did not argue.
“I understand that now.”
Investigators questioned him about the secondary entrance.
He described how he reached the surface through a narrow route on the far side of the mountain.
