Türkiye to reopen hundreds of unsolved murder cases

Türkiye’s Ministry of Justice has announced the establishment of a new unit tasked with re-examining hundreds of unsolved murder cases, in a move aimed at addressing high-profile crimes and strengthening public confidence in the judicial system, Turkish media reports.

The newly created Department for the Investigation of Unsolved Crimes will oversee the review of cases that have attracted significant public attention. In the initial phase, authorities will reopen 638 unsolved criminal cases linked to 693 victims across 75 provinces, according to the ministry. Officials noted that certain regions show a particularly high concentration of such cases.

The largest number of cases is recorded in İzmir, where 49 investigations involving 51 victims will be revisited. Other provinces with notable case volumes include Sakarya, Trabzon, Giresun, Tokat and Tekirdağ. Additional regions under review include Malatya, Kahramanmaraş, Canakkale, Bursa and Diyarbakır, among others. In Ankara and Istanbul, 10 cases each are being reassessed.

The ministry said the new department will go beyond simply reopening cold cases by introducing a structured investigative framework that incorporates advanced forensic and analytical methods, along with enhanced coordination among relevant agencies.

The initiative is intended to reduce impunity and reinforce trust in the justice system. Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said prosecutors would base their work strictly on evidence rather than personal considerations. “A prosecutor is guided by evidence, not names,” he said, adding that all unsolved crimes — including high-profile cases involving the killings of women and children — will be re-examined.

By Tamilla Hasanova