Servet Turgut dies after being 'dropped from a military helicopter'

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Servet Turgut, 55, who was allegedly dropped from a military helicopter in the mostly Kurdish populated eastern province of Van, lost his life today (September 30).

Turgut and Osman Şiban were found to be in intensive care treatment at Van Regional Training and Research Hospital two days after their detention on September 11.

While Şiban recovered, Turgut was still receiving treatment in the intensive care unit.

Both people's attorneys and families say they were dropped from a military helicopter after detention. Şiban says he doesn't remember what happened after he was detained due to a memory loss. Turgut had not been able to make a statement about the incident.

CLICK - Servet Turgut's family: 'If he committed a crime, he should stand trial, why did you drop him from a helicopter?'

Şiban's medical report states that "He was brought to the 112 emergency [service] after he fell from e height and was reported by the security directorate to healthcare teams," according to Mesopotamia Agency (MA).

His complaint was recorded as "falling from a height" under the "Intensive Care" heading, said the report.

Van Governor's Office had announced that it opened an investigation into the incident. Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu later denied that he was dropped from a helicopter.

After his death, Turgut's body was taken to Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Dursun Odabaş Forensic Medicine Center and was then received by his family, MA reported.

Politicians from the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP), including Van's former co-mayor Mustafa Avcı, who was replaced with a government-appointed trustee, members of the MEBYA-DER association and many citizens accompanied the family.

However, people other than the family were not allowed in Yenimahalle Cemetery in Edremit district.

Turgut's brother, Naif Turgut, told bianet that "They called us at midnight. They said my brother died. We rushed to the hospital. This time, they said, 'No, he didn't die, doctors massaged him, he is alive.' We didn't understand."

"We think that we were being stalled somehow. Meanwhile, they called security directors and the chief physician. I think they made a plan during that time. They stalled us, we think they may change the death report. Our hearts are torn out, other people's shouldn't," he added. (EMK/VK)