Striking letter in Gülistan Doku investigation: Murder confession

A shocking letter, allegedly sent from a U.S. prison by Umut Altaş, has surfaced in the investigation into the disappearance of Gülistan Doku, who has been missing for nearly six years. The letter, obtained by Akşam newspaper's Washington correspondent Yavuz Atalay from Altaş at a Pennsylvania facility, contains what is described as a "confession letter."

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Türkay told me, 'I killed a girl, she was screaming a lot, we were in the car, I couldn't stand it and shot her in the head.'

According to the report, Altaş claims that on January 4 and 5, 2020, he was with M. Türkay Sonel, the son of former Tunceli Governor Tuncay Sonel. Altaş alleges that Türkay Sonel confessed to him that he had killed a girl. "Türkay told me, 'I killed a girl, she was screaming a lot, we were in the car, I couldn't stand it and shot her in the head,'" the letter reportedly states.

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Nah, he already handled it, he arranged something.

Altaş's account details his presence with Türkay Sonel during the alleged events. He describes being taken to a dormitory area, witnessing a girl enter fearfully, and then leaving quickly with Sonel. Later, they went to a cafe and then the Governor's Mansion. Altaş recounts hearing police radio traffic and Sonel becoming agitated, driving off rapidly. Sonel later allegedly asked Altaş to call a security guard named Şükrü and send a message asking, "Did you handle it?"

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We buried her, man.

The letter further details an alleged conversation at the Sonel residence where Türkay Sonel repeated his confession about killing a girl, stating, "I killed a girl, she was screaming a lot, we were in the car, I couldn't stand it and shot her in the head." When Altaş asked what his father did, Türkay allegedly responded with a laugh, "Nah, he already handled it, he arranged something." Altaş also claims to have seen a gun in Sonel's car the next day and that Sonel told him, "We buried her, man," when asked about the body's location, though he claimed not to know where.

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I apologize for not seeking refuge in Turkish justice until today.