On Trial for “Unidentified Murders of 13 Villagers”, Now He’s a Major General

Ankara Gendarmerie Regional Commander Brigadier General Musa Çitil who was on trial for unidentified murders of 13 villagers was promoted by Supreme Military Council (YAŞ) and became Major General. Çitil was acquitted of unidentified murders of 13 villagers on May 21, 2014. The case had been presented on October 11, 2012.

Human Rights Association (İHD) Mardin (a province in Southeast Anatolia) Branch Chairperson, Lawyer Erdal Kuzu told bianet:

“Defendant Musa Çitil has been protected by the state from the beginning and the Supreme Military Council’s decision is in accordance with it. Crimes committed against Kurds are legitimate according to the state and the promotion of Çitil confirmed it.”

Put on trial between years 1993 and 1994, Çitil defended himself and said “he kept on the right side of the law”.

According to the report of İHD Mardin Branch, there were 52 enforced disappearances between 1993 and 1996 in Mardin province.

Case Derik

A charge was placed against former Derik Gendarmerie Regional Commander Brigadier General Musa Çitil for unidentified murders of 13 villagers in Derik district of Mardin province between 1993 and 1994.

The names of the murdered villagers: Seydoş Çeviren, Yusuf Çeviren, Abide Çeviren, Ahmet Çeviren, Ramazan Çeviren, Mehmet Nejat Arıs, Piro Ay, Vejdin Avcıl, Mehmet Erek, Ramazan Erek, Ahmet Erek, Mustafa Aydin, Mehmet Faysal Ötün.

Musa Çitil was demanded aggravated life imprisonment and it was stated that Çitil referred murdered villagers as “terrorists” in his proceedings.

On February 17, 2012, two mass graves were dug in Derik district and a burnt human skull and some bones were found. According to Forensic Medicine Institution, the bones belonged to Mehmet Emin Aslan (19), one of enforced disappeared villagers. 

Çitil was acquitted of the case on May 21, 2014. Families of the murdered villagers appealed to the Supreme Court. (AS/BD)

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