Gülistan Doku disappearance investigation

The investigation into the disappearance of university student Gülistan Doku, missing in Tunceli since January 5, 2020, has seen renewed activity under Chief Public Prosecutor Ebru Cansu, who established a specialized analysis unit to deepen the inquiry.

Recent developments have highlighted the absence of critical security footage from the upper floor of a cafe where Doku worked. While the cafe owner and the security company confirmed that approximately 15 cameras were operational at the time, recordings from the specific area where Doku was responsible for working are missing. This lack of footage has reportedly hindered efforts to determine if suspect Mustafa Türkay Sonel was present at the establishment on the date in question.

Simultaneously, a 30-person team comprising JAK and JASAT units is conducting search operations across a 150-kilometer area using underground imaging devices, though no findings have been reported. The ongoing legal proceedings involve 38 individuals, including former law enforcement officers and local administrative officials.

New evidence has emerged regarding alleged misconduct. Ali Çimen, the lawyer for the Doku family, stated that an expert report confirmed an individual identified as B. D. A. in correspondence is the same person shown in a photograph exhibiting signs of physical abuse. Furthermore, the investigation is scrutinizing communications and money transfers between former Tunceli Governor Tuncay Sonel and retired police officer Gökhan Ertok. Documents suggest Sonel requested Ertok’s assistance to identify and target a social media user in 2021, leading to allegations of unauthorized surveillance, data copying, and illegal detention.