14.04.2026 19:00
A response came from the Ministry of Justice sources regarding the statement of former Tunceli Governor Tuncay Sonel, whose son was detained in connection with the Gülistan Doku case, which has been missing since 2020, "My son was a high school student in those years, how could he be involved in this incident?" Ministry officials said, "According to population records, Mustafa Türkay Sonel was born in 2000, and it is understood that he was approximately 20 years old as of 2020, when Gülistan Doku disappeared."
An operation was conducted in 7 provinces on suspicion of murder in the investigation of Gülistan Doku, a 2nd-year student in the Child Development Department of Munzur University, who has been missing since January 5, 2020, in Tunceli. Following the operations, 13 suspects were detained. It was learned that among the 13 people for whom detention decisions were made are Mustafa Türkay Sonel, the son of the then Tunceli Governor and current Ministry of Interior Inspector Tuncay Sonel, and Doku's boyfriend, Zeinal Abakarov.
"MY SON WAS A HIGH SCHOOL STUDENT WHEN GÜLİSTAN DOKU DISAPPEARED"
A response came from Ministry of Justice sources to the statement made by Tuncay Sonel, who spoke to journalist Sinan Burhan: "My son does not know Gülistan Doku, nor does he know her boyfriend. My son was a high school student in those years, how could he be involved in this incident? I don't know her either. I helped her family."
Burhan shared the explanation made to him by ministry officials. The statement included the following expressions: "In Tuncay Sonel's statement reflected to the public; it is seen that he expressed that his son does not know Gülistan Doku and her circle, has no connection to the incident, that he himself supported the family, and characterized the allegations directed as 'slander.'
"MUSTAFA TÜRKAY SONEL WAS 20 YEARS OLD IN 2020"
However, according to current population records, it is understood that Mustafa Türkay Sonel was born in 2000 and was approximately 20 years old as of 2020 when Gülistan Doku disappeared. This situation shows that the defense claiming he was a "high school student" is not consistent with the ordinary course of life.
On the other hand, information that Mustafa Türkay Sonel was in Tunceli during the said period and, according to vehicle registration records and photographs reflected to the public, was driving around the city in a luxury vehicle is also among the elements evaluated within the scope of the file.
"NOT JUST A MISSING PERSONS CASE"
All these developments once again reveal that the Gülistan Doku file is not just a missing persons case, but a multifaceted investigation that needs to be deepened. The public's most basic expectation is that the fate of a young woman is clarified without leaving any room for doubt.
The investigation is being meticulously continued in light of new information and documents that have emerged."