Suspicious Death of Soldier Brought into Parliamentary Agenda

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Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Muş MP Gülüstan Kılıç-Koçyiğit has submitted a Parliamentary question about Mustafa Araz, who allegedly committed suicide while doing his military service in the disctrict of Babaeski in Turkey's northwestern Kırklareli province.

In her Parliamentary question addressed to Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar, Kılıç-Koçyiğit has referred to the statements of the father, who said that he saw signs of torture on his son's dead body in the autopsy, and asked whether this allegation has been investigated or not.

Noting that there is an increase in the number of suspicious death of soldiers in the military, Kılıç-Koçyiğit has briefly said the following about Araz:

'He had signs of torture on his body'

"Araz, a soldier for three months, talked to his family on the phone on May 10 the last time. On May 12, his family was informed that Araz died.

"Seeing the deceased body of their son after the autopsy, Araz family was grieved even more because there were signs of torture on his body.

"Father Araz has raised concerns over the suspicious death of his son in following words: 'There were marks on his wrists and hands, suggesting that he was tied. There were bruises, signs of trauma all over his face. There was a deep cleft on his chin. There were again extreme bruises on his back. My son was not someone to commit suicide. I think he was tortured to death. My only expectation is an investigation into this incident in its all details.'

"The attorney of Araz family has also said that they have filed a criminal complaint to the Babaeski Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on charges of 'wilful killing,' 'torture' and 'misconduct in office', that the statements of military authorities are contradictory and that it is physically impossible for a person to jump off a 15-meter height and to fall adjacent to a wall.

"Expressing their concerns that the incident will not be effectively investigated, Araz family and their attorney say that they were followed by soldiers step by step when they went to Babaeski district to file the complaint and meet the witnesses and that a military official, namely Brigadier Ercan İlhan, even attended the meeting with the prosecutor, which is in itself concerning for the good of the investigation."

CLICK - Criminal Complaint by the Family of the Soldier Who Allegedly Took His Own Life

'Were camera records examined?'

Kılıç-Koçyiğit has asked Minister Akar the following questions:

"Is there an investigation launched into the suspicious death of Mustafa Araz from Kars Kağızman? If yes, what is its current stage?

"How many people deposed as part of the investigation? Who are these people? What did they tell about the murder of Mustafa Araz?

"Considering that father Araz, who was present at his son's autopsy, said that there were signs of torture on his body, have these allegations been investigated? Is it right that Mustafa Araz was tortured?

"Given that Araz allegedly committed suicide by jumping off a 15-meter height, is there an explanation for him being found adjacent to a wall with his back on the ground? Is there an inquiry into the suspicion of murder behind this incident of 'suicide' which is against the rules of physics?

"Were camera records in the vicinity of the scene of incident examined? If yes, what findings have been acquired?

"Why were the Araz family and their attorney followed by soldiers when they came to Babaeski to file a criminal complaint? Who is the military official named Brigadier Ercan İlhan? Why was he present while the family were deposing at the prosecutor's office? Does this person have anything to do with the murder of Araz? Was this person summoned to depose?

"A video has been shared on social media, showing an incident of ill treatment and insult against a soldier at the 1st Armored Brigade Command, where Mustafa Araz suspiciously died while doing his military service. Is there an investigation launched into this incident? If yes, what criminal action has been taken against the ones who did it?

"Does your Ministry have any work to investigate suspicious deaths of soldiers and to prevent such deaths?

"Will your Ministry make a statement to the public regarding the increasing number of suspicious soldier deaths within the Turkish Armed Forces (TAF)? Does your Ministry not have responsibility about these deaths? Are you thinking of resigning from the Ministry of National Defense as the authority responsible for these deaths?" (EKN/SD)