Turkish authorities detain family members in 20-year-old disappearance case

Turkish authorities have made significant progress in a 20-year-old cold case involving the disappearance of Rıza Güzel in Kırşehir in 2006. Following months of investigation and judicial wiretapping by the Gendarmerie Crime Investigation Team (JASAT), simultaneous operations were conducted at six different addresses across three provinces.

Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi announced that seven suspects, consisting of Güzel’s spouse and six children, have been taken into custody. Following confessions and directions provided by the suspects, investigators located bone fragments believed to belong to Rıza Güzel. Forensic examinations are underway to confirm the identity of the remains.

Minister Çiftçi emphasized the state's commitment to solving long-standing crimes, stating, “Let no one think that the passing years will cover the truth or erase the traces of crime.” He noted that the success follows the recent resolution of another decade-old case in Manisa.