'Gülistan Doku' Investigation: Former Governor's Son's Statement Revealed

The investigation into the disappearance of Gülistan Doku, a university student who has been missing since January 5, 2020, has taken a new turn with the emergence of a statement from Mustafa Türkay Sonel, the son of the former Tunceli Governor Tuncay Sonel, who is currently detained in connection with the case. Sonel's testimony, as reported by CNN Türk, attempts to distance himself from Doku and any alleged involvement in her disappearance.

“

I do not know Gülistan Doku personally. I have not met her anywhere, in any way, nor have I communicated with her in any way. I only knew her from the news like everyone else after she went missing.

Sonel emphatically stated that he did not know Gülistan Doku personally and had no contact with her. He claimed to have only learned of her existence through media reports after she went missing. Furthermore, he denied any role in deleting data from her social media accounts, calling such a possibility "impossible." He also asserted that neither he nor anyone close to him had any connection to her disappearance, stating he had never even heard her name until the news broke.

“

I did not delete anything from Gülistan Doku's social media accounts or data. Such a thing is impossible. Neither I nor anyone close to me has anything to do with this.

The statement also addressed other allegations, including the use of unregistered phone lines by his close friend Uğurcan Açıkgöz and Sonel's own supposed possession of firearms. Sonel expressed ignorance regarding the phone lines and rejected accusations, purportedly made by a secret witness, that he had claimed to have shot someone with a pistol. He clarified his interest in "bead-shooting rifles" (boncuk atan tüfekler), which he learned about through a friend, and provided evidence of photos and videos of himself playing with these non-lethal devices, stating that he does not own any real firearms and that the equipment used is for sport.

“

What can I say, it would be a lie, I don't know. Because I do not accept any of these statements attributed to me, these statements made by the secret witness against me.

Regarding his whereabouts, Sonel explained his presence at a youth center and cafes with friends, suggesting that cell tower data (baz kayıtları) should be interpreted within this context. He argued that being on the same cell tower signal does not necessarily mean being in the same physical location. When questioned about the disposal of Doku's belongings, which the prosecution believes were destroyed to create a suicide impression, Sonel reiterated his lack of knowledge, stating he did not know Doku and was merely moving through the area in a vehicle, not stopping or waiting.

“

I have a curiosity about rifles that shoot colored beads. I learned about this interest through my friend's guidance. The claim in Celal Altaş's statement, that I said in a phone call with his son Umut 'I shot someone with this pistol,' is absolutely false. I was not aware of making such a statement, I am very surprised. Such a conversation did not happen between Umut and me. I do not have a firearm.