Turkish Medical Association Raided, Doctors Detained

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Police launched an operation this morning (January 30) against the Turkish Medical Association (TTB), which released a declaration entitled “War is a Matter of Health”.

Detention warrants were issued for TTB Chair Prof. Dr. Raşit Tükel, Sezai Berber, Sinan Adıyaman, Selma Güngör, Şeyhmus Gökalp, Hande Arpat, Ayfer Horasan, Taner Gören, Funda Obuz, Yaşar Ulutaş and Nazım Yılmaz.

Police also searched the doctors’ rooms in the hospitals.

Lawyer Eyüboğlu: The detainees will be taken to Ankara

Speaking to bianet, lawyer Meriç Eyüboğlu said that TTB Chair Prof. Dr. Raşit Tükel and Taner Gören's homes were searched and the two figures were detained, and they will be taken to Ankara where the investigation has been launched.

One of their lawyers in Ankara, Deniz Özbilgin stated that the home searches of the doctors in Ankara have been completed and the search carried out in the central council building continues as of 10:30 a.m. The police are copying the hard drivers of the computers.

Detained in İzmir, Dr. Funda Barlık Obuz met with lawyers from the Progressive Legists’ Association (ÇHD) İzmir Branch. Taken to İzmir Security Directorate after being detained, Barlık Obuz will be referred to Ankara as well.

What happened?

On January 26, 2018, President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called TTB “terrorist lovers” at the Extended Provincial Chairs Meeting at the AKP Headquarters. The title of the declaration which Erdoğan denounced was “terrorist lovers”.

Erdoğan targeted the TTB in Çorum and Amasya as well yesterday (January 28). On his return from his inspection at the Repatriation Center in Antep, Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu told journalists that he would file a criminal complaint against the TTB.

Prof. Erez had spoken to bianet

Speaking to bianet, Chair of İstanbul Chamber of Medicine Prof. Dr. Selçuk Erez had said:

“We the doctors always prefer peace over war.

““Our sensitivity naturally increases when it comes to a war that will end the life our soldiers, in other words our children. However, our sensitivity applies to our neighbours as well. This cannot be interpreted as terrorist loving”.

Investigation was launched

On January 28, the Ministry of Interior declared that it will file a criminal complaint to Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office against the TTB Central Council members.

An investigations was launched upon the criminal complaint yesterday (January 29). (AS/TK)