Suspicious Death of Soldier on Parliamentary Agenda

* Photo: Mezopotamya Agency (MA)

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Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Van MP Muazzez Orhan has brought the suspicious deaths of soldiers into Parliamentary agenda.

Addressing a Parliamentary question to Minister of National Defense Hulusi Akar, Orhan has asked about 21-year-old Ahmet Türeli, who suspiciously lost his life while doing his military service in Van.

Referring to the allegations that Türeli took his life, HDP MP has raised concerns over the deaths caused by suicides in the military in 2002-2020.

Orhan has summarized the incident briefly as follows:

"While it is claimed that Ahmet Türeli, who was doing his military service in Van, committed suicide a week ago while mounting guard, the statements of witnesses and the news reported in the press have alleged that Türeli did not claim his life, but was killed in an attack.

"Türeli was allegedly wounded by three G-3 (infantry rifle) bullets in the left upper side of his chest and could not be saved despite all efforts."

'Can a person shoot oneself for three times?'

Based on these allegations, HDP Van MP Muazzez Orhan has asked the following questions to Defense Minister Hulusi Akar:

"Is there an investigation conducted into the allegation of suicide pertaining to Ahmet Türeli? On what exact day and at what exact hour did he commit suicide? When was it understood? How long did it take to take him to hospital? If he was taken to hospital late, what caused this delay?

"What is the situation about the allegation that he shot himself with three bullets? In an attempted suicide, can a person shoot oneself for three times?

"Is there an investigation into a possible hostility between Ahmet Türeli and his superiors and other soldiers where he did his military service?

"How many people attempted to commit suicide in the military from 2002 to 2020? How many people committed suicide while doing their military service in 2002-2020? How many soldiers were wounded or shot to death by soldiers between 2002 and 2020?

"Is there any research conducted by your ministry regarding the causes of suicide among soldiers? What services and psychological support is provided to decrease the suicidal tendencies in soldiers?

"In the period of 2002-2020, how many soldiers were suspended from duty because of torturing or maltreating other soldiers? What sanctions were imposed on the ones suspended from duty for these reasons?"

'It is still mandatory despite legal arrangements'

Muazzez Orhan has also shared following information and observations about the mandatory military service in Turkey:

"In Turkey, military service is still mandatory despite all legal arrangements. It is known that especially the low-income and poor groups are obligated to do military service for the longest mandatory periods.

"In Turkey, where the number of youth unemployment has exceeded one million, the children of the poor cannot pay 35 thousand lira (approx. 5,000 US dollars) for paid military service.

"On the other side, while there is mandatory military service, no legal regulations have yet been introduced for the right to conscientious objection or participation in the alternative public services.

"Mandatory military service has been abandoned in several countries of the world, the right of conscientious objection has been granted and it has been arranged in such a way to provide alternative public services."

'Inform the public about suspicious soldier deaths'

Referring to similar suspicious deaths of soldiers in previous periods, Muazzez Orhan has raised concerns that "the incidents of discrimination, violence, torture, mobbing and the like lead to attempted suicides of soldiers or cause violations of right to life."

Underlining that soldiers were subjected to torture and maltreatment in several incidents before, Orhan has also reminded the minister that over a thousand soldiers committed suicide between 2002 and 2013 and people committed suicide or attempted to do so for various reasons.

"However, in several incidents reported in the press, the allegations of suicide might fall under suspicion," Orhan has noted and added, "The public needs to be informed about the suspicious deaths of soldiers in this context."

(EKN/SD)