01.09.2025 16:15
A Turkish scientist living in the United States, Dr. Furkan Dölek, has been missing for four days. It has been claimed that Dölek, who works at some of the world's most important research centers such as CERN and Fermilab, was detained at the US-Canada border. It has come to light that Dölek, who initiated a solo protest march to Canada, left behind the bag he was carrying in his last footage before being detained.
The Dölek family, living in the Kozan district of Adana, announced that they have not heard from their son Dr. Furkan Dölek, who has been involved in world-renowned physics projects, for 4 days. The family expressed their concern for the life of the scientist, who is reported to have been detained in the USA.
HE WORKED AT CERN AND FERMILAB
After completing his master's degree at Çukurova University, Dr. Dölek was sent abroad with a scholarship from the Turkish Atomic Energy Authority. He completed his doctorate in Switzerland. He conducted research at leading research centers in the world, such as CERN and Fermilab, which is affiliated with the U.S. Department of Energy. In 2023, Dölek was invited to Virginia Tech University, where he continued his academic career.
"REPORTED IRREGULARITIES, BECAME A TARGET"
According to allegations, Dölek reported security vulnerabilities and irregularities in the laboratories where he worked to the U.S. Department of Energy. The scientist, who faced pressures and mobbing during this process, was removed from his position. First, his visa was canceled, and then he was not given a release document from Virginia Tech.
CLAIM OF DETENTION
It was claimed that Dr. Dölek, who started a walk to Canada to make his voice heard, was detained 4 days ago in the Mohawk region at the U.S.-Canada border.
LAST IMAGES
In his last image shared on social media, Dölek mentioned that he had to leave behind a bag he was carrying, saying, "Feelings vs. Survival, Today I had to throw away one of my bags. It wasn't just clothes — there were emotional items inside. They were things I wanted to keep. But survival leaves no room for weight. I only kept the most necessary things. Half of what remains is electronic equipment — because it keeps me alive, allows me to stay connected, and makes it possible for me to continue telling this story. This is not the first time I have left something behind. I had previously left my ring at Fermilab. Every time I leave something behind, I remember how much this struggle has already cost me — and why I cannot stop. Again a farewell. Moving forward is the only way," he emphasized.
FAMILY'S CALL FOR HELP
Mother Zuhal Dölek stated that her son has over 500 articles and more than 20,000 citations, saying, "He is a very valuable scientist. He was targeted for reporting radiation incidents and irregularities. He was detained while walking to Canada, and his phone and computer were confiscated. We just don't want him to be held unlawfully," she said.
Father Hasan Dölek stated that they sold their house in Adana to save their son, saying, "We sent $50,000, but now we have not heard anything. We can no longer afford to hire a lawyer. We are worried about him being sent to a prison in El Salvador due to the new refugee law. Please, hear our voice," he said.