23.06.2026 09:40
The case of Arif Uğurlu and Ceylan Aktepe, who disappeared in Diyarbakır 16 years ago, has been reopened after many years. The prosecutor's office has deepened its investigations based on suspicions that the couple was killed for honor reasons and concealed in caves. It was determined that the two missing persons were killed by the father-in-law of the victim Ceylan Aktepe, and human bones were found in three different caves. Among the 20 people detained, the father-in-law was arrested.
In the Çınar district of Diyarbakır, it was claimed that Ceylan Aktepe, with whom R.A. lived under a religious marriage, and Arif Uğurlu fled together in 2010 and were never heard from again. In 2014, S.A. filed a petition with the Çınar Chief Public Prosecutor's Office alleging the couple was killed. During the investigation, statements suggesting the missing couple "went abroad" and lack of evidence led to a decision of no need for prosecution in 2018. The case was reopened after Arif Uğurlu's father, Mehmet Uğurlu, stated that his son was killed. The prosecutor's investigations revealed that Uğurlu and Aktepe had not applied to any public institution, had no bank account activity, did not use GSM lines, and had not contacted relatives since their disappearance. In an operation within the reopened investigation, 20 suspects were detained.
BONES FOUND IN THREE SEPARATE CAVES
In the prosecution's arrest request, it was noted that intelligence work indicated the couple was killed by a decision of tribal elders and their bodies were thrown into a cave. Accordingly, examinations in three different caves at various times revealed bones believed to be human. The bones were sent to the Istanbul Forensic Medicine Institute Bone Expertise Department for analysis. DNA samples were also taken from the missing couple's relatives, and the examination of the bones is ongoing.
WITNESS STATEMENTS INDICATE THEY WERE KILLED
In confidential witness statements included in the case file, it was claimed that Arif Uğurlu and Ceylan Aktepe were caught and handed over to tribe members, where a decision was made to kill them and they were executed. One confidential witness stated that Ş.A., B.A., K.A., C.A., M.A., M.A.P., M.A., C.A., R.A., and Ömer Aktepe—father of R.A., with whom Aktepe lived under religious marriage—participated in search activities and heard that after Arif Uğurlu and Ceylan Aktepe were found, a decision was made to kill them. Another confidential witness claimed that village headman Ş.Ü. and some suspects took custody of the fleeing couple after capture, then Uğurlu was beaten to death and Aktepe was shot in the head.
TAP RECORDS ENTERED THE CASE FILE
Wiretap records obtained under surveillance decisions by the prosecutor's office were also added to the case file. It was reported that in some conversations, covering up the incident with certain individuals was discussed, some suspects used statements confirming the death, and made remarks indicating knowledge of the details. One conversation included phrases such as 'Let R. surrender' and 'Let R. take responsibility.' The prosecution also noted that village headman Ş.Ü. made assessments in some conversations about knowing the location of the grave, while some suspects made remarks confirming the killing.
FATHER-IN-LAW ARRESTED
Of the 20 detained suspects, 8 were released after processing by the gendarmerie. Twelve suspects were referred to the duty court with a request for arrest on charges of "premeditated murder for honor." While judicial control was imposed on 11 of the suspects, Ömer Aktepe, father of R.A., was arrested on charges of "premeditated murder for honor."