LAST CONDITIONS OF CONSCIENTIOUS OBJECTORS IN TURKEY

Antimilitarist News

15 July 1998 - No. 05

* Vedat Zencir's Trials

Background Information:

Vedat Zencir, the president of Izmir War Resisters' Association had made a press statement before the State Security Court of Izmir on the 1st of December in 1997, Peace Prisoners' Day and went to civil disobedience. By his statement he renewed his conscientious objection and called people to go neither military nor guerilla. In addition, he said that due to the fact that the article 155 of Turkish Penal Code and a serial of such articles were against freedom of thought and expression, they should be violated by all citizens who were in favour of human rights. Later on he was charged with three different offences:

1) Article 312 of Turkish Penal Code:

"Encouraging people to commit an offence and creating hatred through people".From 6 months up to 2 years.

2) Article 159 of Turkish Penal Code:

"Insulting the moral character of the state and the army". From 1 year up to 6 years.

3) Article 155 of Turkish Penal Code:

"Alienating people from the military". From 2 months up to 2 years.

Present Condition

The first trial (article 312) was held in the State Security Court of Izmir and Vedat was acquitted on the 28th of May, 1998. The second (article 159) is still going on at the 1st Criminal Court of Izmir. For the third offence (article 155), the prosecutor of State Security Court sent the file to the Military Court of General Staff, but no notice has been served to Vedat yet.

Vedat is still free and he was not called up for military service after his statement and during his trials.

* Osman Murat Ulke's Case

Osman Murat lke is still in Eskisehir Military Court. It is expected that his sentences will finish in October 1998 and he will be "released", however the date is not exact. We concern that after his "release", he may be sent to the barracks again and the vicious circle may continue.

We would like to mention a note from Osman. He sends greetings to all friends who send him letters and cards. He can receive only some of them from abroad and he is not allowed to write in foreign languages. So, he cannot response them. He requests all frinds people to remember that he is not allowed to response.

You can send letters and cards directly to his prison address or to his friends who can visit him in the prison and give letters by hand. The second way is of course more secure, however, we request people also to write his prison address in order to show the prison management that the international solidarity continues.

Prison Address:

1. Taktik Hava Kuvvetleri Komutanligi, Askeri Cezaevi, ESKISEHIR - TURKEY

To send letters by hand:

1438 Sok. No: 12 / 3 Alsancak - IZMIR / TURKEY

ISKD

Communication Group

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