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Justice Minister: Body buried since 2006 identified as Gülcan Yazıcı; 3 suspects detained

Justice Minister: Body buried since 2006 identified as Gülcan Yazıcı; 3 suspects detained

From Cumhuriyet · () Turkish

Translated from Turkish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement Outcome reported
  • Turkey's Minister of Justice, Akın Gürlek, announced the identification of a female corpse buried since 2006 as Gülcan Yazıcı.
  • The body, previously unidentified and interred in a pauper's cemetery, was confirmed through DNA testing.
  • Three suspects have been detained in connection with Yazıcı's murder, and legal proceedings have commenced.

Turkey's Minister of Justice, Akın Gürlek, revealed a significant breakthrough in a cold case, announcing that the identity of a female corpse buried since 2006 has been definitively established as Gülcan Yazıcı. The body had remained unidentified for years, leading to its burial in a pauper's cemetery in Bafra.

Minister Gürlek stated that the confirmation was achieved through DNA testing, coordinated by the Ministry's newly established Department for the Investigation of Unsolved Crimes. He emphasized this development as concrete proof that the state leaves no case unresolved. The investigation involved meticulously examining a list of 1,000 missing persons and their connections.

Following the DNA match, authorities issued arrest warrants for three suspects in connection with Gülcan Yazıcı's murder. A judicial process has now been initiated. Minister Gürlek extended his gratitude to the Bafra Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and the Samsun Provincial Police Department teams for their diligent investigation.

"Under the leadership of our President, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, our justice system will continue with determination to pursue all unsolved crimes and follow up on every case until the perpetrators are brought to justice," Gürlek added. The successful identification and subsequent arrests highlight the commitment to resolving long-standing cases and ensuring accountability.

DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.