Turkey's Justice Minister says three cold-case murders solved after 11, 15 and 19 years

September 27, 2026 at 12:30 PM2 min

This digest was compiled by AI from multiple sources — links to the originals are below.

Turkish Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced that three unsolved murder cases in Aksaray, Gaziantep and Manisa have been solved after 11, 15 and 19 years. The investigations led to two arrests in Aksaray, one in Manisa, and the detention of 10 suspects in Gaziantep. The cases were reopened under the coordination of the Ministry's Cold Case Investigation Department.

Key Facts

Justice Minister Akın Gürlek announced the resolution of three cold-case murders in Aksaray, Gaziantep and Manisa, pending for 11, 15 and 19 years respectively.
In Aksaray, two suspects, Hava G. and İlhan G., were arrested in connection with the 2007 disappearance of Fadime Görgülü.
In Gaziantep, 10 suspects were detained in simultaneous operations across Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa and Antalya for the 2011 killing of Mehmet Kaya.
In Manisa, R.Ç., the owner of the vehicle at the time of the 2015 death of Meral Babacan, was arrested after a car part was matched to a Volkswagen side mirror frame.

Aksaray Case

The file concerning Fadime Görgülü, who disappeared in Ağaçören district of Aksaray in 2007, was reopened. Investigators deepened the inquiry after noting contradictory statements from family members and re-evaluating evidence and field work. Searches at the missing person's residence used a cadaver dog and underground imaging devices. Based on information from suspect Hava G., three bracelets believed to belong to Fadime Görgülü were seized. Hava G. and İlhan G. were arrested as a result of the investigation.

Gaziantep Case

The file on Mehmet Kaya, who died in an armed attack on 3 January 2011 in Gaziantep, was re-examined in full. HTS records were expanded and re-analysed, and witness statements, base station data, identification reports and contradictions in suspect statements were evaluated together. Some suspects were determined to have followed Mehmet Kaya on the day of the incident and to have conducted surveillance around the scene. Under the coordination of the Gaziantep Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, simultaneous operations in Gaziantep, Şanlıurfa and Antalya resulted in the detention of 10 suspects.

Manisa Case

The file on Meral Babacan, 20, found dead on a road in Manisa on 6 July 2015, was reopened. The incident was reconstructed, and MOBESE and PTS records were re-evaluated in terms of time and distance. A car part held in judicial custody was identified as belonging to a side mirror frame used in certain Volkswagen models. Comparison with camera footage identified a vehicle that was in the area at the time of the incident. The owner of the vehicle, R.Ç., was arrested and remanded in custody by the Sulh Criminal Judgeship.