Malatya Murders Orchestrated by Nationalist Organisations?

Three people were killed at the Zirve Publishing House in Malatya on 18 April.

Since the trial started recently, new developments have emerged almost daily. Apparently, first information after the murder incriminated the Malatya Forges of Ideals (Ülkü Ocakları), the youth organisation largely synonymous with the nationalist Grey Wolves organisation, the youth organisation of the National Movement Party (MHP). Officially the Forges of Ideals, to be found in every city in Turkey, are not linked to the MHP, but a look at the website of the organisation suffices to see the connections.

Two other links 

In addition, the suspects said in their statements that suspect Emre Günaydin, whom they denoted as the leading actor in the murders, was influenced by "the bearded man at the local newspaper" and "a person preparing reports".

"They used Emre"

Metin Dogan, a convicted murderer, wrote a letter to the Malatya prosecution, in which he said that he was discipline "officer" at the Forges of Ideals for eight years: Emre Günaydin is a person I love like my own brother. I also know his family and am close to his father. Emre was always with me until I went to prison. That is, we were together at the Forges of Ideals. The people who used me and destroyed my life have also used Emre."

The letter, which was sent from a prison in Mersin, further read: "I know a lot about the murders at the publishing house. I know who used Emre, who committed the murders. I want to make a statement and show you my evidence. I want to make a statement and inform you so that no more of my brothers will be used and no other lives are lost."

A few days after the murder, a Mehmet Topal sent messages to the police and to the prosecution, also accusing the nationalist youth organisation. He apparently said,  "The command to commit the three murders came from the Malatya Forges of Ideals."

Polat denies involvement 

One name which has come up in the media recently is that of Ruhi Polat, a province party council member of the Nationalist Movement Party. He exchanged 18 messages with Emre Günaydin before the murders, in the period between 15 March and 12 April, and has explained them thus: "I had some family problems, and I talked with Emre like a younger brother. I trust the police and the judiciary."

Answering journalists' questions on 5 December, Polat said: "This issue is with the judiciary. I have given the necessary statements to the prosecution and police. We will all await the results together. The accusations made are all unfounded. I trust the judiciary and the police. [...] The telephone is in my name, but I do not use it, my daughter does. Together with my daughter and son I worked out at Emre's father's gym."

Prosecution: 75 tapes safe

Main suspect Emre Günaydin jumped from the third floor of the building in which the murders were committed on 18 April. Following media reports that the video recordings made in his room during his hospital stay were destroyed by the police, the Malatya Chief Public Prosecution has announced that 75 tapes of recordings were handed over to the prosecution by the police.
(EÖ/TK)