Conscientious Objector Arrested

Conscientious objector Ismail Saygi, who was taken into custody on 16 March, has been arrested. His supporters have planned a campaign for today.

Emine Özcan

After serving seven months of his military service, Ismail Saygi declared on 15 November 2006 that he wanted to become a conscientious objector.
He was taken into custody on Sunday, 16 March, and has now been arrested in Istanbul.

Because he was registered as a deserter, an arrest warrant had been issued against him in his absence. Saygi was first handed over to the military police in Üsküdar, and then, after appearing in front of a military prosecutor, taken to Maltepe military prison in Istanbul.

Saygi is expected to be transferred to a military prison in Sarikamis, in the east of Turkey.

Supporters gather today

The Initiative for Solidarity with Ismail Saygi has announced that supporters would meet today (19 March) at 2 pm in front of the Galatasaray Highschool in Taksim, central Istanbul, to show solidarity with conscientious objection and to start a support campaign. (EZÖ/GG/AG)