Verdict Expected in Güllü’s Case
The trial over the death of Turkish singer Gül Tut, known to the public as Güllü, has reached a decisive stage. Her daughter, 28-year-old Tuğyan Ülkem Gülter, appeared before the Yalova 1st High Criminal Court for a hearing at which a verdict is expected.
Güllü died on September 26, 2025, after falling from a window in her sixth-floor home in Çınarcık, Yalova. Gülter is being tried in connection with her mother’s death and remains in custody. She denies killing her mother.
At the latest hearing, the prosecutor repeated the request made in the case’s earlier proceedings: that Gülter be convicted of the premeditated murder of an ascendant and sentenced to aggravated life imprisonment. The prosecutor’s opinion is a formal request to the court, not a verdict. The judges must assess the evidence and arguments before reaching their own decision.
Lawyers representing Güllü’s sister, Kader Tut, also called for Sultan to face prosecution, arguing that she should be treated as a suspect rather than only as a witness. Their submission focused on footage from the night Güllü died. According to the lawyers’ interpretation of the recordings, Gülter spoke to Sultan while Güllü was in the bathroom, and Güllü was heard saying “open it” after coming out. They argued that the two women acted together and that Sultan’s account of events was incomplete.
Gülter became tearful during the hearing. At an earlier session on October 1, she rejected the accusation and described what she said happened before the fall. She told the court that the family had been dancing together and that her mother had joined them. With her back turned, she heard a sudden noise, looked around and saw that Güllü had fallen. Gülter said she called to Sultan and went downstairs with her. She maintained that she had not seen anything make contact with her mother and insisted that, had she witnessed the fall, she would have tried to catch her.
The indictment was prepared after an investigation lasting about ten months and runs to 21 pages. It was accepted by Yalova 1st High Criminal Court, which is hearing the case. Prosecutors accuse Gülter of the premeditated killing of a close family member and are seeking the most severe available sentence.
The central question for the court is whether the prosecution’s account is supported by evidence strong enough to establish guilt beyond the defendant’s denial. The judges will need to consider the statements given during the investigation and trial, the recordings cited by the family’s lawyers, and the circumstances surrounding Güllü’s fall. Claims made by either side remain arguments until the court rules on them.
The dispute over Sultan’s role is another issue raised during the proceedings. The lawyers for Kader Tut say the available material warrants prosecuting her, while the trial’s current allegations against Gülter remain the focus of the prosecutor’s sentencing request. Whether the court considers Sultan’s conduct relevant to its decision, or whether any separate legal action follows, will depend on the legal process.
A sentence of aggravated life imprisonment has been requested, but it has not been imposed merely because the prosecutor called for it. The court may accept the prosecution’s position, reach a different conclusion or determine that further legal consideration is needed. The distinction between an indictment, a prosecutor’s opinion and a final judgment is essential: only the court’s ruling will establish the outcome of Gülter’s trial.
Until the judges announce their decision, the case remains unresolved. Gülter continues to deny responsibility, while the prosecution maintains that the evidence supports a premeditated murder charge. The expected verdict will determine whether she is convicted and what penalty, if any, is imposed.