Former Tunceli Provincial Gendarmerie Deputy Commander Colonel Ali Kahraman and his wife Burçin Kahraman, who were detained in the 5th wave operation in the investigation into the disappearance of GÜLİSTAN Doku on January 5, 2020, were arrested at the criminal judgeship of peace to which they were referred. The couple's statements at the prosecutor's office were also revealed. Questions were asked about the vehicle driven by the couple passing the Sarısaltuk Bridge, where Gülistan Doku was last seen at 12.25, approximately 2 minutes later, and Burçin Kahraman's call to Handan Sonel, wife of the then Governor of Tunceli Tuncay Sonel, at the same minute. The couple answered these questions by arguing that they did not see Gülistan Doku and did not take her into their vehicle.
It turned out that the person who was caught on a vehicle's camera bending over on Sarısaltuk Bridge was Gülistan Doku.
'WE DID NOT TAKE IT IN OUR VEHICLE'
Ali Kahraman stated that his wife called Handan Sonel to thank her for hosting them in Tunceli and to inform her that they were leaving the city. Ali Kahraman, who stated in his statement that he went to Pertek Ferry Pier with his wife and daughters without stopping anywhere, said, "We did not take Gülistan Doku into our car. We would never participate in such an action."
Burçin Kahraman also claimed that they had not seen Gülistan Doku and that she called the governor's wife, Handan Sonel, to thank her.
'SEARCHES ARE WOMEN GOSSIP'
In the investigation file, it was stated that there was consecutive telephone traffic between Burçin Kahraman and Handan Sonel and the content of these calls was asked. Ali Kahraman stated that his wife first called Handan Sonel to thank her, and the subsequent conversations were in the nature of 'women's gossip'.
Burçin Kahraman said that some of the phones made unsuccessful calls to points that did not have reception, and then she called Handan Sonel to convey her mother's greetings. He stated that during the meeting, which lasted approximately 12 minutes, they talked about the women he met at an invitation he attended, and described the meetings as 'a simple and normal conversation between women and women'.
A fifth wave operation was carried out the previous day in the investigation of university student Gülistan Doku, who disappeared in Tunceli.
CAMERA QUESTION
Former Tunceli Provincial Gendarmerie Deputy Commander Ali Kahraman was also asked about the camera system on the route where Gülistan Doku disappeared. In his first statement, Ali Kahraman said that there were approximately 176 cameras on the Tunceli-Elazığ road, up to Elmalık Police Station, 'without any dead spots'. Explaining that the cameras were monitored 24 hours a day, Ali Kahraman stated that the systems were active during the time he was on duty and that in the briefings given to senior commanders, it was stated that there were no dead spots on the route. When the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office reminded that there was no camera footage on the 800-meter Tunceli and 500-meter Elazığ side of the Sarısaltuk Viaduct, where Gülistan Doku was last seen, Ali Kahraman replied, "I said that all the cameras were in a way that there would be no dead zone, but I could be wrong in that area." Ali Kahraman later stated that Sarısaltuk Viaduct remained in the police responsibility area.
Former governor Tuncay Sonel and his wife Handan Sonel were arrested for "obscuring criminal evidence", and their son Mustafa Türkay Sonel was arrested for "deliberate murder".
'I DID NOT FIND SONEL'S DEFENSE BELIEVABLE'
- Ali Kahraman was also asked about Tuncay Sonel's defense of sending Gülistan Doku's new SIM card to Gökhan Ertok, saying "I wanted to have signal detection." Ali Kahraman stated that it is not possible for a person in the governor's office not to know that signal information can be accessed in a short time through local law enforcement units and replied, "Frankly, I do not find Tuncay Sonel's defense convincing either." Ali Kahraman, who was reminded that he was one of the most senior figures in charge of mixed teams and security guards in Tunceli in the past, rejected the claim that Tuncay Sonel gave him or the guards any instructions regarding Gülistan Doku. Ali Kahraman said, "I think Tuncay Sonel could dominate the village guards and manipulate them. Because he was skilled at convincing everyone, manipulating them, and managing perception."
