25.04.2026 12:52
The Ministry of Justice has re-examined 638 unsolved case files involving 693 victims across 75 provinces. In the ranking; İzmir ranks first with 49 files and 51 victims, followed by Sakarya with 34 files and 35 victims, and Trabzon with 30 files and 31 victims.
The Department of Investigation of Unsolved Crimes, established under the General Directorate of Criminal Affairs of the Ministry of Justice, has closely examined unsolved crime investigation files. Following a screening across all courthouses in 81 provinces, the process of seeking justice for 693 victims related to 638 investigation files identified in 75 provinces has been accelerated.
The Ministry of Justice has taken a historic step regarding unsolved files that have caused public outrage.
75 PROVINCES: 638 CRITICAL FILES UNDER SCRUTINY
The newly established Department of Investigation of Unsolved Crimes has begun examining intentional homicides and missing person cases that have left deep traces on the public conscience from a different perspective. According to initial findings, a comprehensive analysis process has been initiated for 638 files and 693 victims across 75 provinces nationwide.
This special unit will maximize institutional capacity and coordinate closely with chief public prosecutor's offices, particularly to shed light on unsolved cases closely followed by the public, such as the Gülistan Doku investigation, including murders of women and children.
UNSOLVED CRIME MAP OF TURKIYE BY PROVINCE CREATED
According to data obtained from ministry sources, unsolved murders and victim cases of a nature that could cause great public reaction have been compiled one by one across the country. In the initial phase, reviews have been launched for a total of 638 files and 693 victims in 75 provinces. According to ministry data, some provinces stand out with their density in the number of files and victims included in the review.
In the ranking; İzmir ranks first with 49 files and 51 victims, followed by Sakarya with 34 files and 35 victims, and Trabzon with 30 files and 31 victims. Continuing the list; Giresun with 29 files and 32 victims, Tokat with 29 files and 32 victims, and Tekirdağ with 29 files and 31 victims draw attention; while Malatya with 24 files and 24 victims, Kahramanmaraş with 19 files and 21 victims, and Çanakkale with 17 files and 28 victims are among the priority provinces with high numbers.
Completing the top 15; unsolved crime cases in Bursa with 16 files and 18 victims, Düzce with 16 files and 18 victims, Diyarbakır with 17 files and 18 victims, Uşak with 15 files and 17 victims, Elazığ with 15 files and 15 victims, and Kütahya with 15 files and 15 victims will be meticulously scrutinized in line with the vision of ensuring justice and combating impunity. In metropolitan provinces such as Ankara and Istanbul, investigations will be conducted regarding 10 files and 10 victims each, which are of significance.
MINISTRY OF JUSTICE WILL CONDUCT SYSTEMATIC REVIEW AND COORDINATION
The Department of Investigation of Unsolved Crimes is not only reviewing files but also developing methods to ensure the systematic analysis of pending files under the chief public prosecutor's offices. By providing guidance on technical, criminal, and analytical methods to ensure crimes do not go unpunished, a strong flow of information will be established among relevant institutions.
Thus, in the new era, the Department of Investigation of Unsolved Crimes will play a critical role for files that have remained unsolved for years. This unit will re-examine files that could not be concluded due to insufficient or tampered evidence. Unsolved crime files in the chief public prosecutor's offices will be systematically reviewed, with the aim of eliminating the perception of impunity and relieving the public conscience.
MINISTER GÜRLEK: OUR GOAL IS A REASSURING JUSTICE SYSTEM
Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek, in his social media post announcing the establishment of the department, stated that this move is part of the vision of making the Century of Türkiye the Century of Justice, and emphasized:
"A prosecutor looks at the evidence inside the file, not the name on the cover. We established this new unit to ensure unsolved crimes do not go unpunished and to relieve the public conscience. Our goal is to build a faster, more effective, and more reassuring justice system."
Ranking of Unsolved Crime Files and Victims: