"5 more unsolved cases were clarified"

Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek said, "We will bring the perpetrators hiding behind years to justice: We have removed 80 murders in 73 files from being unsolved!" He made a statement.

Minister Gürlek noted: "The fact that years have passed since a person disappeared does not change the fact that his family is waiting for answers. A re-examined evidence, a new witness statement or a finding that emerges can be decisive in shedding light on the events that remain in the dark.

By taking advantage of developing technological opportunities, we evaluate DNA analyses, criminal investigation reports, HTS and base station records, License Plate Recognition System data and witness statements together. We continue our work meticulously to ensure that no new connections or details that emerge in files from previous years are overlooked.

Under the coordination of our Unsolved Crimes Investigation Department within our Ministry, and in cooperation with our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and law enforcement units, 5 separate files in Manisa, Ankara, Batman, Aydın and Istanbul were re-examined.

MANİSA / ALAŞEHİR | CENNET ARIKAN – 11 YEARS UNCLOSED PERSON

In the investigation carried out on suspicion of murder regarding the fate of Cennet Arıkan, who has been missing since 2015, the communication and movements of the suspects on the date of the incident were re-examined. In the work of our Alaşehir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, data indicating that the suspects were in the same or close areas were obtained through criminal analysis of HTS and base records. Following these findings, 5 suspects were detained and 4 of them were arrested.

ANKARA / GÖLBAŞI | UĞUR ŞİMŞEK – 6 YEARS OF UNCLOSED PERSON

In the file of Uğur Şimşek, who disappeared after coming from Sivas to Ankara in 2020, it was determined that the human skull found in Gölbaşı in 2021 belonged to him as a result of DNA analysis. Phone records and License Plate Recognition System data were evaluated in the investigation carried out by our Ankara West Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. In line with the evidence obtained, 1 suspect was arrested.

BATMAN / KOZLUK | EKREM BAKAR – 12 YEARS OLD UNCLOSED PERSON

In the file of Ekrem Bakar, who disappeared in 2014 and for whom an absence decision was issued, information was found that he may have been killed and buried in a rural area. Witness statements and communication records were examined upon the instructions of our Kozluk Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. 10 suspects were detained in simultaneous operations held in Batman and Antalya. 1 of the suspects was arrested.

AYDIN / SÖKE | ELİFE DOĞRUL – 23 YEARS UNCLOSED PERSON

In the file of Elife Doğrul, who has not been heard from since 2003, statements from previous years regarding her disappearance and new information that raises the possibility of murder were evaluated. In line with the findings obtained in the investigation conducted by our Söke Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, 7 suspects were caught and detained.

ISTANBUL | SEFA SOYALP – 7 YEARS OLD UNCLOSED PERSON

In the file of Sefa Soyalp, who disappeared after coming to Istanbul from Kırıkkale in 2019, the people she lived with and contacted during the last time she was seen were investigated. Telephone and HTS records were examined in accordance with the instructions of our Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. 6 suspects were detained in the operation carried out based on the findings.

To our Alaşehir, Ankara Batı, Kozluk, Söke and Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Offices, who carried out the investigations meticulously; I would like to thank our police and gendarmerie organizations, AFAD teams and all public officials who contributed.

Regardless of the time that passes, we will continue to mobilize all our resources to determine the fate of our missing citizens, to identify those responsible, and to be with our families waiting for justice.