Acquittal in 'Ambulance Case': 'Our Reason for Being is Acquitted'

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14 health workers, who were tried on charges of "being a member of a terrorist organization" and "propagandizing for a terrorist organization" for opening a "life corridor" for people who took refuge at basements during curfews and clashes in January 2016 in Cizre, Şırnak have been acquitted.

The second hearing of the case, which was held at the 3rd Heavy Penal Court in Turkey's southeastern province of Mardin, has been followed by Sema Kılıçer from Human Rights Delegation of the European Commission to Turkey, Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV) Chair Şebnem Korur Fincancı, Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK) Co-Spokesperson Onur Hamzaoğlu, Human Rights Association (İHD) Co-Chair Öztürk Türkdoğan and numerous health workers across Turkey.

Two members of the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) who were tried in the case, Dr. İncilay Erdoğan and Dr. Halis Yerlikaya spoke to bianet about the verdict of acquittal.

"A precedent for all health workers"

When asked if she thought that she would be tried one day for opening the "life corridor", Dr. Erdoğan said, "When we took the road, such a thing did not even cross our minds. Because, in this country, TTB has always brought health service to those who need it."

Stating that the verdict of acquittal is valuable for them, İncilay Erdoğan added, "We think that this verdict is not only for 14 people, but sets a precedent for all health workers."

"We went to both Gaza and Van"

Reminding that what happened in Cizre at the time was painful, Dr. Halis Yerlikaya said, "We thought these efforts would be awarded, not that we will be tried for this." Yerlikaya stated the following on the case:

"We go to everywhere when needed. When the Health Ministry called for voluntary doctors, we volunteered, when Van earthquake happened, among those who were there in three or four hours were being tried in this case.

"I hope the verdict of acquittal will set a precedent for similar cases.

"Doctors know the wounds of war best and defend life. According to the rules of medical ethics, their primary duty is to protect human health. By nature, doctors are in a situation to defend the peace." 

(PT/VK)