Shocking claim in the Gülistan Doku case: 'Bottle cap test' and 'do not tell the family' instruction

New information has emerged regarding the investigation into university student Gülistan Doku, who went missing in Tunceli in 2020. According to a column by Tolga Şardan, while the prosecutor's investigation and the work of Ministry of Interior inspectors are ongoing, a remarkable method regarding the searches conducted in the dam reservoir has entered the case file.

"BOTTLE CAP" TEST IN THE FILE

A member of the Gendarmerie Search and Rescue (JAK) unit, who testified as a witness within the scope of the investigation, explained that a test was conducted by throwing a "bottle cap" into the dam reservoir during the search efforts.

The official stated that when the bottle cap surfaced the next day, it was understood that the lake bed was not muddy, and therefore it was concluded with certainty that Doku's lifeless body was not at the bottom of the dam.

The JAK personnel also stated that they informed the prosecutor's office that, in line with this finding, the searches should be concentrated on land.

"DO NOT TELL THE FAMILY" ALLEGATION

The testifying JAK official said that he conveyed the information obtained to the then-Tunceli AFAD Director Cem Erdoğan, and that Erdoğan relayed this information to the then-Tunceli Governor Tuncay Sonel.

According to the same testimony, it is alleged that after hearing the information, Sonel became angry and said, "Do not tell this to the family and confuse them."

The investigation file includes information that, following this development, some public officials, including the JAK personnel, were transferred out of Tunceli.

SONEL'S "I HAVE NO KNOWLEDGE" DEFENSE

Following these allegations, which drew the attention of the prosecutor's office, Tuncay Sonel's testimony was sought. It was learned that Sonel, who is currently in custody, said during his interrogation that he was not aware of the incident in question.

It was also reported that Sonel stated that the divers searching the dam had given him similar information. In his testimony, he reportedly said, "I would not want so much expense and effort to be spent either, but despite this, we continued the procedures due to the family's pain."

SOYLU'S RESPONSE TO GOVERNOR APPOINTMENT

The Gülistan Doku file continues to be at the center of political debates. The then-Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu responded to criticisms regarding the appointment of Tuncay Sonel to Tunceli during a television program he attended.

In response to criticisms such as "You shouldn't have appointed that governor there," Soylu said, "Did I sign a contract with that governor? There is law there, there is the judiciary there. Maybe Süleyman Soylu is in this, maybe Ahmet is in this, Mehmet is in this."

Süleyman Soylu, who also announced in the same program that he would leave politics after 2028, said, "Whoever stops for a day is a dishonorable person. Whoever stops for a day is a dishonorable person."

In his article, Tolga Şardan stated that different claims have been raised regarding the reason for this decision by Soylu. One of these claims suggests that the increasing possibility of a person living abroad returning to Turkey and the ongoing hostility between the parties were influential.

CALL TO "PRESENT THE DOCUMENT IF YOU HAVE ONE"

In his statements, Soylu also addressed criticisms regarding his term in office, saying, "We did our duty like a man, and we did it to the end. Whoever has a document, whoever has information, is a coward if they do not present whatever they have regarding me."

Tolga Şardan, on the other hand, stated in his article that if documents regarding his term in office were to be presented to the public, the topics that should be examined include: the recruitment of cybercrime personnel, the procurement of police software, the judicial processes of some bureaucrats, individuals granted citizenship, the connections of some names with the "Swamp" (Bataklık) and "Iron Fist" (Demir Yumruk) operations, gun licenses, and the use of flashing lights on vehicles.

News Source: 12punto