Authorities in the eastern province of Tunceli have arrested two divers for evidence tampering after finding a note and scissors in a dam while searching for a missing university student.
The arrests expand the probe into the disappearance of Gülistan Doku, 21, missing since Jan. 5, 2020. A total of 28 suspects are now jailed.
Erzurum prosecutors investigate how a barcoded prescription, a note reading “psychological pressure is put on us” and 14-centimeter black-handled scissors were found between Jan. 8 and Jan. 10.
Experts concluded paper could not remain intact at a 14-meter depth, triggering suspicions the items were planted.
Jailed suspects include then-Governor Tuncay Sonel, his son, a hospital chief doctor, an ex-officer accused of deleting data, Doku’s boyfriend, his mother and his ex-police stepfather.
All former provincial workers, Sonel’s bodyguard, a security guard and one U.S.-detained fugitive are also in jail.
Prosecutors pursue charges of intentional killing, aiding murder, sexual assault, destroying evidence, unlawfully destroying IT data, depriving liberty, failing to report crime and harboring criminals.
