“They Lost Their Relatives Twice with Acquittal of Temizöz”

"The women attending the trial have felt as they lost their relatives again. It was like a second mourning period has begun with this verdict".

Attorney Veysel Vesek speaking to bianet as to JİTEM trial in which former Colonel Cemal Temizöz and other defendants have acquitted has said he witnessed that the relatives attending the trial have felt as they lost their relatives again.

"Families could make it to the court in very harsh financial situation, and mostly were able to attend with the help of lawyers and bars. Eventually, such a result has come out. Still, they will eventually account before justice", said lawyer Vesek.

They will object the verdict

Then Cizre District Gendarmerie Commander, retired Gendarmerie Senior Colonel Cemal Temizöz, former Cizre Mayor and Chief Village Guard Kamil Atağ, Kukel Atağ, Tamer Atağ, Adem Yakın, Fırat Altın (Abdülhakim Güven), Hıdır Altuğ and Burhanettin Kıyak who were charged with making 21 people forcefully disappear, forming organization for the purpose of committing crime and illegal arbitrary execution have acquitted.

Vesek said they will object the verdict and go for an appeal.

CLICK - ACQUITTAL FOR ALL DEFENDANTS IN TEMİZÖZ TRIAL

Isn't forensics report an evidence?

The court in this case and other case in which unsolved murders tried has asserted that witness testimonies do not suffice for conviction. However, attorney Vesek has stated that there are many evidence such as forensics reports, autopsy reports, bodies in addition to witness testimonies but they were not taken into attention by the court.

"This case was the one which had the most comprehensive file compared to other cases in which unsolved murders and extrajudicial killings tried. There have been many evidence to support witness and complainant statements", said Vesek.

Why were evidence ignored?

Vesek explains why evidence were ignored and they were acquitted:

"Recently acquittal has been issued for cases trying crimes committed in 90s. State officers are being continued to be protected in accordance with jurisdiction's policy of impunity. The cases started with the promise of facing the past and 'white Toroses' but they weren't sincere. The general tendency in jurisdiction is to put these cases into cold storage.

"Even attorney's fee was being met by Interior Ministry. However, this practice is applicable to misconduct, yet neither murder nor extrajudicial killing is not misconduct. Meeting attorney's fee stopped upon our complaint. Even that is a state protection". (AS/TK)

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