Suspicious Death of Alevi Youngster Under Compulsory Drafting

Muharrem Al (21), a private under compulsory military drafting, has reported committed suicide in Şırnak. Unsatisfied with military officials’ inconsistent statements, Al’s parents demanded a second autopsy.  

Moreover, Al family and friends set up a tent in Izmir’s Narlıdere Democracy Square, campaigning for the truth behind Al’s death. 

“I don’t believe that my son can commit suicide,” Ismail Al said. 

“He was feeling very upbeat and talking about all the nice things he wanted to experience once his service is over. On the second day of the Eid, police came to our apartment and asked about him. We have become restless and called his military unit. They told us that they were unable to tell anything at the moment and they would call us later. Then we learned about the death of our son. His commanders are making inconsistent statements.”

Uğur Çiftçileli, Al’s cousin, said the following: 

“Why do they hold on to the death body and alert us only 10 hours later? One of the commanders say that he was killed on the scene, while the other claim that he died in the hospital. Their words are not credible to us.” 

Members of Izmir Bar Association and Human Rights Foundation pledges to follow the case by appointment requests to Interior and Defense Ministries.
Similar statements on the follow-up of the case have been proclaimed by Abdül Batur, Izmir Narlıdere district mayor. 

Completing his preliminary training in Tokat province 48th Infantry Unit, Al was transferred to a military unit in Ballı, Şırnak province two weeks ago. 

Al was found dead in his barrack due to gun wounds inflicted by a rifle. Following an autopsy in Diyarbakır Military Hospital and burial ceremony in Narlıdere Cemevi in Izmir, Al was buried in Izmir. (EKN/BM)

* bianet compiled this article from BirGün and sendika.org

** According to bianet statistics, at 974 people have been reported to commit suicide under their compulsory military drafting since 2002. 

* Click here to read the original article in Turkish.