23.05.2026 12:00
Images have emerged showing the moments when suspect Umut Altaş, wanted with a red notice in the investigation into Gülistan Doku, who has been missing in Tunceli since 2020, was detained in New York, USA. The images show Altaş being handcuffed and taken away by plainclothes police while sitting at a café. Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek had referred to Altaş as 'the person who will solve the murder'.
Images have emerged showing the moment suspect Umut Altaş, who was wanted with a red notice in the investigation into Gülistan Doku, missing since 2020 in Tunceli, was detained in New York City, USA. In the images, Altaş is seen being handcuffed and taken away by plainclothes police while sitting in a café. The fugitive suspect's recent statements, where he made striking allegations regarding the murder, brought the case back into the spotlight.
DETAINED IN NEW YORK
It was learned that Umut Altaş, who had a red notice issued against him in the investigation into the disappearance of Gülistan Doku, a student at Munzur University Child Development Department, was captured and detained by security forces in the USA.
In the images provided by journalist Emrullah Erdinç, the moments when plainclothes police approached Altaş while he was sitting in a café in New York, handcuffed him, and took him into custody were captured.
12 OF 15 SUSPECTS WERE ARRESTED
Within the scope of the Gülistan Doku investigation, 12 of the 15 previously detained suspects were arrested, while judicial control decisions were issued for 3 individuals. A red notice was issued via Interpol for the fugitive Umut Altaş.
“LET THIS CASE BE SOLVED NOW”
In an interview given before his detention, Umut Altaş made striking statements. Claiming that Mustafa Türkay Sonel confessed the murder to him, Altaş said, "I was naive back then. Türkay even left me a note saying he committed this murder. At the residence, he told me, 'She was shouting too much, so I shot.' I even touched the murder weapon while in the vehicle. I want this case to be resolved now."
“I HAVE TWO GUESSES ABOUT WHERE THE BODY IS BURIED”
Altaş also claimed he believed Gülistan Doku was killed on a viaduct and suggested the body might have been moved. Stating he did not know the exact location of the body, Altaş pointed to the areas around Bayraktepe and Aktuluk Mahallesi, estimating it might be buried there.
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MINISTER GÜRLEK SAID ALTAŞ IS "THE PERSON WHO WILL SOLVE THE CASE"
Following the statement "wherever it leads," regarding the case taken off the shelf after 6 years, Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said, "We believe Umut Altaş is an important individual, and we are requesting his extradition. We have also communicated the sensitivity of the matter to the relevant US authorities due to its significance. We are awaiting his extradition. I believe Umut Altaş is the person who will solve the case, because he is the closest witness. He fled abroad under suspicious circumstances. The investigation continues."