21.04.2026 11:21
Tuncay Sonel, the former governor of Tunceli, who was detained in Elazığ as part of the Gülistan Doku investigation and brought to Erzurum, was sent to the courthouse after completing his procedures at the police station. It was noteworthy that no handcuffs were placed on Sonel while being sent to the courthouse. The different treatment given to Sonel, who is accused of tampering with evidence using public power, drew reactions.
Gulistan Doku investigation, former Tunceli Governor Tuncay Sonel, who was detained in Elazig and brought to Erzurum on April 17, 2026, has completed his 3-day interrogation at the police and was referred to the courthouse.
11 PEOPLE WERE ARRESTED, THE GOVERNOR WAS SUSPENDED
In the investigation of Gulistan Doku, a second-year student in the Child Development Department of Tunceli Munzur University, who has been missing since January 5, 2020, operations were carried out in 7 provinces on suspicion of murder, and 11 people were arrested. Among those arrested was Tuncay Sonel, the then Tunceli Governor and Chief Inspector of the Ministry of Interior, whose son Mustafa Turkay Sonel and protection police Ş.E. were also among the detainees, and he was first suspended by the Ministry of Interior.
HE STAYED IN POLICE FOR 3 DAYS, WAS REFERRED TO THE COURTHOUSE
Afterwards, Tuncay Sonel, who was found in Elazig, was detained by the Elazig Provincial Police Department teams and brought to Erzurum by road. Tuncay Sonel, whose 3-day interrogation was completed with an extension at the Erzurum Police Department's Public Order Branch, was brought to Erzurum Courthouse for his interrogation at the prosecutor's office. Intense security measures were taken around the courthouse.
SONEL: I AM THE GOVERNOR OF THE STATE, I WILL NOT ANSWER AT THE POLICE
According to the news from Merve Tokaz of CNN Türk; Sonel, who stayed in police custody for 3 days, did not give his statement and said, "I am the governor of the state, I will not answer at the police. I am exercising my right to remain silent."
NO HANDCUFFS WERE PUT ON
It drew attention that Sonel, who was accused of tampering with evidence, was not handcuffed when he was referred to the courthouse. While the 11 people previously arrested in the case were handcuffed, the different treatment towards Sonel attracted reactions.