Fate and Whereabouts of Mehmet Bal Unknown for 18 Days

* Photo: Pınar Gayıp/ETHA

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The family of Mehmet Bal, who came to visit his son in Silivri prison, held a press statement at Human Rights Association (İHD) İstanbul Branch today (February 10) and announced that they have not heard from him for 18 days.

His son Nihat Bal stated that after leaving Silivri Prison on January 24, he visited his relatives. "We could not hear from him after that", Bal added.

'We cannot obtain information from government agencies'

Nihat Bal stated the following: "Our biggest problem is that we cannot obtain information about my father from government agencies. The officials that we have appealed to about my father are having an indifferent and insulting attitude. Prosecutor can say, 'Why would they detain him, he must go up to the mountains' or 'You son is in the mountains, he might be there, too.'

"My father can be found soon with today's technology. He always has his phone with him, he never turns it off. The records of city surveillance cameras can be reached even in the blindest spot. We are looking forward to a statement from the authorities, they will hopefully make a statement soon. Their indifference to the issue makes us suspicious."

'We are waiting for an answer from the ministry'

Speaking at the press statement, human rights defender Leman Yurtsever said, "If the state wants, it can come to know the fate and whereabouts of Bal by tracking signals and examining city surveillance camera records. But, it does not do it, it is acting in a frivolous manner

"As the İHD, we appealed to the Ministry of Interior and Ministry of Justice. We called on to the Amnesty International to take urgent action. We are calling on prosecutors and the authorities to fulfil their duties. Otherwise, it comes to mind whether an institution or agency has detained him."

Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) MP Meral Danış-Beştaş also said that the case of Mehmet Bal reminded her of the 1990s:

"Mehmet Bal, Gülistan Doku, the Simoni couple... I hope that they will not be the new disappeared. We call on the public to follow this issue closely. The duty of the Minister of Interior is not to attack the opposition, but to work in his own field. If you do not find Mehmet Bal, you are the responsible."

Human rights defender Ali Ocak, who could find the deceased body of his brother Hasan Ocak, who disappeared in custody, in a common grave, also stated, "We are asking the authorities: What happened to Mehmet Bal, who disappeared in the middle of İstanbul? They have all types of technology at their disposal, they can trace even an ant whenever they want." (EK/EMK/SD)