22.07.2026 10:01
The family of Gülistan Doku requested that "all aspects of the incident regarding their daughter's loss be clarified, and that publications misleading the public with unverified information be avoided." In a statement made by the family's lawyer, it was stated: "It has been claimed that Gülistan was subjected to sexual abuse and violence, and that hospital records were deleted. Some news websites publishing content that portrays the sexual abuse allegations as if they were consensual is a great disrespect to our daughter's memory."
The family of Gülistan Doku requested that "until all aspects of the incident regarding their daughter's loss are clarified, publications that mislead the public with unverified information and comments should be avoided."
Within the scope of the Gülistan Doku investigation conducted by the Tunceli and Erzurum Chief Public Prosecutor's Offices, a second wave of operations was carried out yesterday morning.
15 DETAINED, INCLUDING THE WIFE OF THE FORMER GOVERNOR
In simultaneous operations in Elazığ, Malatya, Ankara, Istanbul, and Tunceli, a total of 15 suspects were detained, including 3 doctors, 1 nurse, 1 IT staff member, 5 data entry personnel, Handan Sonel—the wife of former Tunceli Governor Tuncay Sonel—Mehmet Aca, the owner of the IT company believed to have interfered with Gülistan Doku's phone, 1 businessperson, and 2 security guards. Handan Sonel, the wife of former Governor Tuncay Sonel, was taken to Tunceli Provincial Gendarmerie Command after a health check in the Pertek district of Tunceli late at night.
STATEMENT FROM THE FAMILY'S LAWYER
In a statement, the Doku family's lawyer, Ali Çimen, said, "What are we waiting for to have the investigation conducted by the Erzurum Chief Public Prosecutor's Office proceed as the 'Tuncay Sonel criminal organization investigation'? It seems there is no crime these individuals haven't committed against multiple victims at different times, under a specific division of labor and system, also using public power. As the case lawyer, believe me, there were multiple times I said, 'No way, it can't be this bad.' The salt has lost its flavor."
"DISRESPECT TO OUR DAUGHTER'S MEMORY"
Meanwhile, in a statement made by Gülistan Doku's family, it was requested that unverified information not be shared.
The statement included the following expressions:
"Today, some news websites published inaccurate and misleading news about our daughter Gülistan Doku. As stated in the testimony of the confidential witness 'February,' it was alleged that Gülistan was subjected to sexual abuse and violence, that she did not consent to these, that she went to the hospital for this reason, and that even hospital records were deleted. The fact that healthcare workers, doctors, nurses, and data processing personnel were also detained in today's second wave of operations is one of the significant developments demonstrating the seriousness of the confidential witness's statements. Indeed, at this stage of the investigation, the confidential witness's testimony has been decisive.
Given all this, it is a great disrespect both to the spirit of the investigation and to our daughter's memory that some news websites are publishing content reflecting the sexual abuse allegations as if Gülistan had consented. These publications deeply hurt our grieving family, who have been fighting for justice for years. While our daughter has not yet been found, all aspects of the incident have not been clarified, and no autopsy has even been performed, we kindly request avoiding publications that mislead the public with unverified information and comments. We invite media organizations to act in accordance with journalistic ethics, not to report unverified claims, and to refrain from publications that would harm the integrity of the investigation. Our struggle for justice to find Gülistan Doku and reveal the truth will continue resolutely."