15.05.2026 13:31
An administrative and judicial investigation has been launched against the village headman and three individuals who damaged the sacred relics known as "Footprints" at the Düzgün Baba Pilgrimage Site in Tunceli Nazımiye through illegal excavations, and the headman has been suspended from duty.
The Tunceli Governor's Office announced that a judicial and administrative investigation has been initiated against the village headman and three individuals accompanying him for damaging the sacred marks known as "Footprints" among the public on Düzgün Baba Mountain in the Nazımiye district.
In a statement from the Governor's Office, it was stated that it became necessary to inform the public regarding the destruction of the sacred marks known as "Footprints" at the Düzgün Baba Sanctuary, which holds a very special place in the ancient faith and cultural memory of Tunceli.
INVESTIGATION INTO DESTRUCTION OF DÜZGÜN BABA SANCTUARY In the statement, it was conveyed that the Düzgün Baba Sanctuary is not merely a visitation area but is a sacred trust that for centuries has been a refuge for the distressed, a source of hope for those who pray, and a symbol of contentment, spirituality, the search for truth, and social conscience. The statement noted:
"Therefore, any negative incident occurring in this area is considered not only physical damage but also a serious matter of sensitivity toward faith values, cultural memory, and the common social conscience. In the incident that occurred in our Nazımiye district, it was declared in a complaint filed by members of the board of directors of the Düzgün Baba Faith and Culture Association that excavations were carried out and damage was caused in areas within the sanctuary known among the public as 'The footprint of Düzgün Baba's horse' and 'Düzgün Baba's house.' Upon the complaint, under the instruction of the on-duty Nazımiye Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, a judicial investigation was launched with anti-smuggling and intelligence units.
VILLAGE HEADMAN REMOVED FROM DUTY It was determined that three individuals registered in our province's population and one village headman were considered to have been involved in the incident. It was understood from the statements of the complainant and witnesses that the village headman and the three accompanying individuals went up to Düzgün Baba Mountain together and returned together. Within the scope of the investigation, statements were taken from a total of 12 individuals as witnesses. As a result of the preliminary examination, it was determined that in one person's mobile phone gallery, there were numerous images related to excavation work and various footage considered to have been taken on the Düzgün Baba Mountain terrain on the day of the incident. Additionally, following the administrative proceedings against the village headman, a process for removal from duty has been initiated."
In the statement, it was reported that the judicial and administrative investigation into the incident that caused widespread public reaction and occurred at the Düzgün Baba Sanctuary, which is considered sacred especially by citizens, is being conducted meticulously. The statement included the following expressions: 'We invite our society to embrace common sense, shared values, and the law of brotherhood, and we call on all our citizens to be sensitive toward faiths and cultural heritage. The lamp burning at Düzgün Baba will continue to carry the light of truth, conscience, and human values.'