Türkiye seeks US extradition of key suspect in Doku case

ANKARA

Authorities have intensified contact with U.S. officials to formally seek the extradition of a key suspect in a long-running case in the 2020 disappearance of a university student in eastern Türkiye, Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said on April 29.

Gürlek said Türkiye has requested the return of Umut Altaş, who is believed to be in the United States and is a central figure in the probe into the disappearance of Gülistan Doku.

"We are seeking the extradition of Umut Altaş," Gürlek said. "We have informed U.S. authorities about the importance of the case and conveyed our sensitivity on the matter."

The minister said Turkish authorities consider Altaş “a key individual” in the investigation and Ankara has issued a red notice and initiated formal procedures for his arrest and return. Gürlek referred to him as a potential “closest witness” in the file.

He also noted that Turkish prosecutors are continuing to examine digital records, witness statements and other forensic material as part of the ongoing inquiry.

Doku went missing in January 2020 in the eastern city of Tunceli. Search efforts were halted in October 2022 without locating her.

Since mid-2024, prosecutors have intensified the probe, examining allegations including homicide, destruction of evidence, deletion of digital traces and abuse of public office.

As part of the expanded investigation, former Tunceli police chief Yılmaz Delen — now serving in Yalova — was summoned to testify as a witness and traveled to Erzurum to give his statement, according to Turkish media reports.

Authorities have also detained 12 people in connection with the case, including former Tunceli Governor Tuncay Sonel, his son Mustafa Türkay Sonel and Tunceli State Hospital's chief physician Çağdaş Özdemir.