Breaking News: Ministry of Justice launches review of 638 cold cases in 75 provinces

The Ministry of Justice has launched a review of 638 cold cases involving 693 victims across 75 provinces.

In a written statement regarding the matter on his social media account, Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek stated the following:

"With our Cold Case Investigation Department, which we have established within our General Directorate of Criminal Affairs, we are re-examining all files that wound the public conscience, especially murders of women and children.

In this context, we have increased our institutional capacity to the highest level for the resolution of cold cases. As a result of the screenings we conducted across the country, we have initiated a comprehensive review process regarding 638 files and 693 victims in 75 provinces. With evidence-based, meticulous analysis and strong coordination, we will not allow impunity.

Under the leadership of our President, we are working with determination to make the Century of Turkey the century of justice, to reveal the truth in every single file, and to ease the conscience of our nation.

We will continue to track down crime and criminals for the manifestation of justice."

Ceza İşleri Genel Müdürlüğümüz bünyesinde kurduğumuz Faili Meçhul Suçları Araştırma Daire Başkanlığımız ile kadın ve çocuk cinayetleri başta olmak üzere toplum vicdanını yaralayan tüm dosyaları yeniden mercek altına alıyoruz.

Bu çerçevede faili meçhul dosyaların aydınlatılmasına…

— Akın Gürlek (@abakingurlek) April 25, 2026

According to information obtained from ministry sources, cold case murders and victim cases that could create a wide public impact have been comprehensively collected across the country. In the first phase, a review process was initiated for 638 files and 693 victims in 75 provinces. The data revealed that the number of files and victims is significantly concentrated in certain provinces.

In the prepared list, İzmir ranked first with 49 files and 51 victims. While Sakarya took second place with 34 files and 35 victims, Trabzon took third place with 30 files and 31 victims. Giresun and Tokat stood out with 29 files and 32 victims each, while Tekirdağ was among the notable provinces with 29 files and 31 victims. It was noted that there are 24 files and 24 victims in Malatya, 19 files and 21 victims in Kahramanmaraş, and 17 files and 28 victims in Çanakkale.

The other provinces in the top 15 of the list were ranked as Bursa and Düzce (16 files, 18 victims each), Diyarbakır (17 files, 18 victims), Uşak (15 files, 17 victims), and Elazığ and Kütahya (15 files, 15 victims each). It was stated that the files in these provinces will be examined in detail in line with the goal of combating impunity and ensuring justice.

On the other hand, it was stated that reviews are ongoing in major cities such as Ankara and Istanbul, covering 10 files and 10 victims for each.

HE HAD SAID, "WE ESTABLISHED A SPECIAL UNIT"

In a statement he made recently, Gürlek had said that they had established a special unit regarding cold cases.

Gürlek had used the following expressions: "We have established a unit. Now, cold cases, all files that were previously dismissed or similar, are being examined one by one. They will be examined to see if there are any missing or flawed points. Especially those that create such sensitivity and public outrage in society. Of course, everyone's case is important to them, but we have established a unit for cases that create sensitivity in society, and we have pulled them there. Now, it is different when experienced eyes look at them. Of course, there is an expectation after Gülistan, but it does not mean that every file will necessarily be like that. But it will be pursued with determination and meticulousness."

News Source: 12punto