Stories from Istanbul · Turkey

Investigators have taken a new step in the 26-year-old investigation into the 2000 death of 15-year-old Çağlatu Altay in Şişli, Istanbul. Authorities have requested to exhume the graves of four individuals to perform DNA comparisons against samples from Altay. Three distinct DNA profiles have been identified, suggesting the involvement of multiple individuals rather than a single person. A special unit coordinated by the Ministry of Justice will establish a new commission to investigate the 2000 murder of Çağla Tuhal in Şişli, Istanbul. DNA evidence identified by protection services has been compared against 80 individuals without a match so far. The investigation is facing a potential statute of limitations deadline in one year. A new commission, which may include Çağla Dost, is expected to be formed to oversee the case.

A Turkish company has laid off 100 workers due to an inability to source packaging materials, which has halted much of its production. The company noted that internet restrictions have negatively impacted firms operating online.

A service vehicle lost control and flipped in the Kağıthane district of Istanbul. Neighbors reported the incident to authorities. A driver died in a hospital after a vehicle collision in Istanbul involving a pickup truck driven by Mehmet Altunlu. A construction vehicle working for Saray Municipality caused damage to a building and several vehicles in Istanbul. The heavy machinery reportedly slid down a slope while transporting construction materials and lost control. The vehicle struck parked cars and a building before overturning, according to the report. Police in Istanbul located a vehicle that was allegedly used by Mustafa Türkay Sonel on the day university student Gülistan Dokudan disappeared six years ago in Tunceli. Investigators are examining the car, which was used by Mustafa Türkay Sonel on the day Dokudan disappeared.

MIA Teknoloji has submitted an application to the Capital Markets Board (SPK) to merge with Lider Sistem Teknolojileri A.Ş.

The Borsa Istanbul index (BIST 100) reached a record level, testing 14,339 points. This designation impacts market accessibility and regulatory standing for the Turkish exchange within the UK jurisdiction.

An eight-year-old child named Yazgül was found safe in a field approximately 500 meters from their home. Search drones were used to locate the child, and emergency 112 teams provided assistance. The child was taken to a hospital for precautionary checks. The child had been held in Turkey by his grandmother for seven years following the death of his father two years ago. A DNA test conducted on March 19 confirmed the mother's identity. The court also imposed a ban on the child traveling abroad and obtaining a passport. A Turkish court granted custody of a child named Nazar to his German mother, Rebecca, during a hearing on April 28. The decision follows a DNA test conducted on March 19 that confirmed Rebecca is the biological mother. The child's father passed away two years ago, according to the report.

An eight-year-old child was allegedly assaulted by the parents and grandmother of another student during a classroom dispute. The victim's family has filed a formal complaint regarding the incident. An investigation into the matter is currently underway.

A witness in an Istanbul corruption probe claimed that municipalities often fund facility construction through donations.

The suspects reportedly claimed in their statements that they did not intend to mock the police. Authorities seized more than three million drug pills during raids on drug traffickers. The seized narcotics are being displayed at the Istanbul Police Department headquarters. The raids resulted in the detention of 116 people. Authorities conducted raids on addresses identified through these methods. A total of 116 suspects were detained during operations conducted over the last three weeks. Detainees include individuals wanted at national and international levels as well as organized crime members. Istanbul Police Chief Selam Yıldız reported that operations resulted in the seizure of 306.385 kilograms of narcotics and over 3 million drug pills. Authorities have arrested 89 individuals in connection with the raids.

A cellular cleansing method has been reported to extend the lifespan of mice by 30 percent. Specifically, there is a possibility that the intervention could cause cells to transform into aggressive, uncontrolled cancerous tumors.