New development in the Gülistan Doku case: 2 divers who participated in search efforts arrested

New developments have occurred in the investigation into the disappearance of Gülistan Doku. Previously, arrest warrants had been issued for 28 people in the file, including the then-Tunceli Governor Tuncay Sonel, his son Mustafa Türkay Sonel, police chiefs, the then-Chief Physician of Tunceli State Hospital, and numerous other public officials. As part of the investigation, two divers who participated in the search efforts have also been arrested on charges of "tampering with evidence."

MATERIALS FOUND IN THE DAM BECAME A SUBJECT OF INVESTIGATION

In the investigation conducted by the Erzurum Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, allegations regarding how the evidence that emerged during the search efforts reached the dam, the process of recording them, and their preservation were placed under scrutiny.

According to a report in the file dated January 8, 2020, various pieces of paper were reached during the underwater searches. It was noted that among the wet documents, in addition to a doctor's prescription with a barcode issued in the name of Gülistan Doku, a note was found containing the phrase "we are being psychologically pressured," as far as it could be read.

The report included information that the materials in question were handed over to the crime scene investigation teams as evidence.

EXPERT REPORT DREW ATTENTION

In another report in the investigation file dated January 10, 2020, it was stated that a pair of scissors with a black handle, approximately 14 centimeters long, was found in the dam.

In the expert report submitted to the file, technical evaluations were made regarding the pieces of paper found underwater. The report included findings that it was not possible for a piece of paper to remain intact for a long time at a depth of approximately 14 meters and that it should have drifted due to water movements.

Following these evaluations, the investigation into the conditions under which the evidence seized in the dam was found intensified. Two divers who served in the search activities were arrested on charges of "tampering with evidence."

NUMEROUS ARREST WARRANTS HAD BEEN ISSUED IN THE INVESTIGATION

After 21-year-old university student Gülistan Doku in Tunceli could not be reached since January 5, 2020, her family filed a missing person report on January 6, 2020. No results were obtained from the search efforts initiated.

In line with the information obtained later within the scope of the investigation, proceedings were initiated on charges of "intentional killing," "aiding in intentional killing," "sexual assault," "concealing or destroying evidence of a crime," "unlawfully accessing an information system to destroy or corrupt data," "deprivation of liberty," "failure to report a crime," and "harboring a criminal."

In this context, the then-Tunceli Governor Tuncay Sonel and his son Mustafa Türkay Sonel were arrested. Arrest warrants were also issued for former police officer Gökhan Ertok, who allegedly deleted data from Gülistan Doku's SIM card, and the then-Chief Physician of Tunceli State Hospital, Çağdaş Özdemir, who was alleged to have deleted hospital records.

Within the scope of the investigation, former Tunceli Provincial Special Administration employee Erdoğan Elaldı, Celal Altaş, Nurşen Arıkan, and Ferhat Hanedan Güven were also among those arrested. Doku's boyfriend Zeinal Abakarov, his mother Cemile Yücer, and his stepfather Engin Yücer, a former police officer, were also arrested.

Additionally, arrest warrants were issued for Şükrü Eroğlu, who was Tuncay Sonel's protection officer at the time, and security guard Fatih Özmen. It was reported that the fugitive suspect Umut Altaş, who is wanted with a red notice, was detained in the USA.