Stories from Istanbul · Turkey

Individuals including a lawyer allegedly made payments totaling 16 million lira to Cihantimur to lift a foreign travel ban. Cihantimur has not filed a fraud complaint despite the ban remaining in place after the payment. The source reported that the individuals contacted Cihantimur regarding the matter. An investigation is underway involving a settlement of 113,426,000 Turkish Lira.

The Borsa Istanbul index completed Tuesday trading with a 1.81 percent decrease, ending at 14,329 points. In the free market, the US Dollar was traded at 45.05 and the Euro at 52.76.

Correspondence has emerged involving the father of Umut Altaş, a key suspect in the Gülistan Doku murder case. Umut Altaş requested that his father transfer 9,000 dollars to his account. The investigation involves a dispute where Umut Altaş allegedly requested $9,000 from his father's account. Celal Ataş reportedly responded by demanding the return of previously sent funds. Umut Altaş has issued threats to contact prosecutors if funds are not provided. During meetings with lawyers, allegations were made regarding Mustafa Türkeli Sonel. An investigation is underway regarding Umut Altaş, who reportedly wrote to his father asking why he was sent to America. The arrest follows a social media post by Umut Altaş questioning why he was sent to America. A local market owner told Haber Türk that Altaş had requested help and appeared to be in shock and crying during police contact.

The family lawyer for Çağla Tuvalta has requested the exhumation of four deceased suspects to obtain DNA samples. The request aims to resolve a murder investigation dating back to June 5, 2000, when the victim was killed in her home in Fulya, Istanbul at age 15.

Beşiktaş will face Burck in the second match of the Euro Cup final series tonight at 20:30. If the series reaches a 2-2 tie, the final match will be played in Istanbul with Fenerbahçe holding the home advantage. The third and potentially fourth matches could be held in Lithuania.

Coded messages reveal allegations that Gülistan Dokun was organizedly eliminated. Retired homicide detective Savaş Kurt discussed the case with a CNN Türk reporter, noting that the killer has not been found since the incident occurred.

Correspondence has emerged between Celal Altaş and his son Umut Altaş, a fugitive key figure in the investigation into the murder of Gülistan Doku.

Turkish authorities arrested dozens of journalists, opposition figures, and union leaders in Istanbul ahead of May 1. Euro-news reported nearly 40 arrests occurred in the city. The source noted that such arrests are a frequent occurrence in the country.

Investigators have taken a new step in the 26-year-old investigation into the 2000 murder of 15-year-old Çağla Tuğaltay in Istanbul's Şişli district. Three separate DNA samples have been discovered, suggesting more than one person may be involved. Authorities have requested to exhume the graves of four deceased individuals to compare DNA with samples from Tuğaltay. Three distinct DNA profiles have been identified, suggesting the involvement of multiple individuals rather than a single killer. The investigation seeks to determine if these profiles link to the unsolved homicide. Twelve suspects have been arrested in connection with the case. The investigation into the 26-year-old cold case has reached a new stage following these findings. Tuğaltay was killed in her home in Şişli, Istanbul, in 2000 when she was 15 years old.

The suspects face charges of publicly insulting law enforcement and inciting hatred and hostility toward the public. Each suspect could face up to five years in prison.