11.10.2026 00:52
Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek recounted the development that changed the course of the investigation six years later in the case file of Gülistan Doku, who disappeared in 2020. Gürlek, stating that the Tunceli Chief Public Prosecutor had conveyed to him his suspicions that the incident was not suicide but murder and that the son of a high-ranking civil administrator of the period was connected to the incident, said that after examining the file, he had said, "No matter who it involves, let's go all the way."
Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek spoke at the 10th Provincial Board Members Training Camp organized by the Turkish Youth Foundation (TÜGVA) in Kızılcahamam.
Gürlek, who said that TÜGVA strives with all its might to raise a faithful, conscious, honorable, knowledgeable, and self-confident youth that firmly embraces national and spiritual values and is aware of its mission, noted that TÜGVA has touched the lives of more than 1.5 million young people through its activities throughout the year.
“WE WILL NOT TAKE A STEP BACK BEFORE ANY CRIMINAL FOCUS THAT TARGETS THE FUTURE OF OUR YOUTH”
Emphasizing that as Minister of Justice they always regard protecting young people as the first priority, Gürlek continued as follows: "We are fighting with all our strength to keep our youth away from all kinds of physical and intellectual attacks, the dirty networks of organized structures, traps set up as projects, and the diseased elements of the age. Let our youth be sure of this: we are extremely determined to break off and throw away every hand of sedition that reaches out to you. This is our most important manifesto, from which we will never compromise. We will not take a step back before any criminal focus that targets the future of our youth. We will continue to stand by our youth with the power of law and to protect their hopes and their tomorrows. "
"AS LONG AS WE ARE STRONG, THE OPPRESSED WILL LOOK TO THE FUTURE WITH HOPE"
Stating that no one can build a barrier in front of a soaring youth, Minister Gürlek advised young people to be strong, trust themselves, and not give up the struggle in the face of adversities they encounter.
Drawing attention to the fact that Türkiye is a hope not only for its own citizens but also for oppressed communities in different geographies of the world, Gürlek used the following expressions: "Know that all the oppressed peoples of this geography place their hopes in us and in you. Never forget that the last fortress of the ummah and of friendly and brotherly nations is the Republic of Türkiye. As long as we are strong, the oppressed will breathe and look to the future with hope. "
"DO NOT BE DECEIVED BY PROVOCATIONS THAT WILL REOPEN OUR HEALED WOUNDS"
Emphasizing that the goal of a "Terror-Free Türkiye" offers a historic opportunity to strengthen social unity and solidarity, Gürlek said, "We have opened a new page on the path to a Terror-Free Türkiye. When you return to our 81 provinces, fill this new page with your words and work that enlarge national unity and brotherhood. Particularly turn to discourse and actions that will strengthen our home front. Do not fall for provocations and do not be deceived by incitements that will reopen our healed wounds. "
Gürlek stated that the goal of the Türkiye Century can be realized with the common will of all segments of society, and said that a Türkiye that directs the energy, knowledge, and labor of young people toward the country's development will further strengthen the environment of prosperity and peace.
Reacting to Israel's policies in the region, Gürlek said, "A strong Türkiye will continue to give confidence to brotherly communities in its region and to instill fear in evil centers that have adopted oppression and occupation, such as the terrorist state of Israel. "
GÜLİSTAN DOKU INVESTIGATION: A CRIME WILL SURELY COME TO LIGHT ONE DAY
Referring to the Gülistan Doku investigation, Gürlek said that after he assumed the ministry post, the Tunceli Chief Public Prosecutor conveyed important information to him about the investigation.
Explaining that the Chief Public Prosecutor shared with him his assessments that the incident was not a suicide and that the son of a senior civilian administrator of the period was connected to the incident, Gürlek used the following expressions: "I also examined and looked at the file. I said, 'Let's take this matter to the end, whoever it involves.' Indeed, we went to the end. We saw that what happened there was not a suicide but a murder. This incident affected us greatly. "
Recalling that they established a special unit within the ministry to shed light on unsolved murders, Gürlek said, "No matter how deeply a crime is buried in darkness, it will surely come to light one day. This is the state's fundamental duty. "
MUHSİN YAZICIOĞLU AND UĞUR MUMCU FILES
Stating that the file concerning the incident in which Muhsin Yazıcıoğlu lost his life was also examined, Gürlek said in a statement, "Muhsin Yazıcıoğlu had also remained unsolved. Thankfully, in that file too, we are currently progressing toward shedding light on it. "
Gürlek stated that the file concerning the Uğur Mumcu murder had also been taken up again, and recalled that he met with Mumcu's wife, Güldal Mumcu, at the ministry.
Underlining that no discrimination is made based on people's identities or positions in society in shedding light on unsolved files, Gürlek said the following: "I always say this: no act remains unsolved. The state will certainly bring it out, and within the framework of justice, it will one day hold these persons accountable before the law. We are resolutely struggling against unsolved murders and unsolved incidents. We especially support our prosecutor and chief prosecutor brothers and sisters in fighting to the end on this issue, and we have obtained very good and positive results. This also reflects positively on us. Everywhere we go, they say 'May God be pleased with you,' and we are appreciated. If a person has a criminal act, the state must certainly hold them accountable. The state never forgives this. As the Ministry of Justice, we are obliged to do whatever falls to us. "
"WE WILL FIGHT STREET GANGS TO THE END"
Also answering young people's questions at the program, Gürlek gave the following answer to the question, "What are the efforts carried out to protect children and young people from criminal environments, prevent them from being dragged into crime, and reintegrate them into society?":
"Unfortunately, criminal organizations especially use our young people under the age of 18. We have seen this. Let me not give names, but new-generation criminal organizations take our children from Adana, Gaziantep, and Diyarbakır and deceive them with a lavish life. Then they put a gun on their waist and say, 'Now go carry out this act.' Now, of course, there was a gap in the law here. As you know, we passed this through Parliament. Now the term 'child dragged into crime' has changed; there is the term 'child under judicial process,' and the penalties given have been increased. In other words, criminal organizations will no longer be able to deceive and use our children and young people. In this regard, penalties for both those who instigate and those who encourage, as well as the children involved in this act, have been increased by approximately twofold. At present, we absolutely do not compromise on this. "
Explaining that they carry out constant operations against criminal organizations, Gürlek said, "Where the state exists, there is order. Establishing order is also the duty of law. If the state has given us this duty, we will ensure order and public order. In this matter, we will fight criminal organizations and street gangs to the end without compromise," he said.
"INFLUENCERS' LIVES CREATE A FALSE PERCEPTION"
Minister Gürlek emphasized that young people need to be made aware of the dangers of drugs and illegal betting.
Pointing out that the lives of some social media influencers, celebrities, and YouTubers who are seen as role models in society create a false perception among young people, Gürlek, regarding drug operations carried out in Istanbul, said, "We made no distinction. We did this because they should actually be taken not as role models but as bad examples for young people."
Stating that the state can maintain its existence as long as it rules with justice, Gürlek said, "Thank God, the Republic of Turkey is a state of law. Our citizens trust in justice and apply to it. Within the scope of fair trial, they continue to seek their rights before independent courts."
At the end of the program, Minister Gürlek took a souvenir photo with the young people.
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