News Center – The investigation into the 2020 disappearance of university student Gulistan Doku in Dersim has entered a new phase with additional detentions and arrests. Newly disclosed investigation documents and official correspondence have also intensified public demands for accountability over allegations involving former Tunceli Governor Tuncay Sonel and other public officials.

Gulistan Doku's family has renewed its call for the truth to be uncovered, saying the prolonged investigation and the failure to act on available evidence have deepened public concern and raised further questions about the conduct of the security authorities involved in the case.

The investigation has continued through successive detention operations involving individuals from different professional and administrative backgrounds. In April, fifteen people connected to the investigation were detained. Twelve were arrested, while three were released under judicial supervision. Among those detained were former Tunceli Governor Tuncay Sonel, his son Mustafa Turkay Sonel, and Tunceli State Hospital Chief Physician Çağdaş Özdemir.

In the second phase of the operation, conducted by the Chief Public Prosecutor's Offices in Tunceli and Erzurum, another fifteen people were detained, including Handan Sonel, the former governor's wife. Following their court appearances, Okan Yarcı was released under judicial supervision, while village guard Fatih Özmen was remanded in custody on suspicion of destroying evidence related to the investigation.

The investigation also gained international attention following the arrest of Umut Altaş in the United States on May 21. Altaş, who had been the subject of an Interpol Red Notice, was taken into custody pending legal proceedings. According to the investigation, the number of people arrested in connection with the case has risen to thirteen, while fifteen others remain in custody for questioning.

As the investigation progresses, prosecutors are examining allegations that former Governor Tuncay Sonel used his official position to interfere with investigations and coordinate unlawful activities involving public officials. These allegations form part of the broader investigation surrounding Gulistan Doku's disappearance and other alleged offenses.

According to investigation documents, Sonel allegedly instructed former police officer Gökhan Ertürk to take action against a social media account that had published criticism of him, reportedly writing, "You'll take care of it, brother."

According to testimony included in the investigation file, Ertürk stated that officers identified the account holder through IP address records and contact information, went to the individual's residence, confiscated digital devices, physically assaulted the person, placed a firearm at the scene, photographed it, and sent the image to Sonel.

The investigation file further states that Ertürk later sent additional messages claiming:

"We detained the person last night and brought him before the prosecutor this morning. We cloned his mobile phone and can monitor both the front and rear cameras. We also placed two listening devices in his home, one in the kitchen and the other in the bedroom, and will continue monitoring him for a while."

Investigators also found that the SIM card used in the WhatsApp correspondence was not registered in Sonel's name. Forensic examinations reportedly showed that the WhatsApp account, although linked to Sonel's phone number, had been registered under the name of Turgay Kılıç. Despite this registration, investigators concluded that the account had been used by Sonel.

Investigation documents also allege that Sonel threatened a woman, arranged for her phone number to be changed, had a tracking device placed on her, and forced her to leave the country. The file further includes statements alleging that both the woman and her employer were threatened on multiple occasions by individuals acting on the governor's instructions.

Family Criticizes Police and Gendarmerie Response

Following the latest arrests, members of Gulistan Doku's family traveled to Dersim, where they gathered outside the courthouse and called for accountability from those they say remained silent despite being aware of the alleged criminal network.

Speaking outside the courthouse, Gulistan's sister, Aygül Doku, criticized the police and gendarmerie officials who were serving at the time of her sister's disappearance.

"If you had fulfilled your duty, we would have found Gulistan's body intact. There will be a third phase of these operations. Until now, you have remained silent out of fear. From now on, do not be afraid—come forward and tell what you know. Everyone knows what happened to our sister. I am angry with the police chief, and I am angry with the gendarmerie. They claim they knew nothing, but Turkay Sonel was assaulting girls under the age of eighteen and carrying weapons openly in the streets, disturbing public order. Didn't the police chief see him walking through the streets of Tunceli? Didn't the gendarmerie see him? If you failed to see these things, then what was your duty?"