In 2003, five villagers in the southeastern province of Bingöl were killed by persons unknown. Their deaths were investigated by a delegation of which Ridvan Kizgin was part.

Five murders and a missing murder instrument... 

Kizgin is a former president of the Bingöl branch of the Human Rights Association (IHD) and a member of the association’s central administrative board.
During the investigation of the murders, Kizgin alleged that a knife used in the murders had been hidden. This has led to his prison sentence.

Kizgin’s objections in court were ignored. He said that “it is impossible to consider hiding an instrument of crime when people are trying to solve an issue within a legal framework.” He also pointed out that the knife had been handed over to security forces.

Kizgin was accompanied to prison by other leading IHD members coming to Bingöl in support.

IHD: "Human rights activists are being disabled" 

The IHD has pointed out that Kizgin was taking part in the investigation of the murders as a human rights activist. The murders have not been solved in five years. In a statement released by the head office of the human rights association, it says:

“Our friend was chosen as a target by the forces interested in perpetuating the status quo because he followed IHD principles and opposed violations, stood next to the oppressed and worked towards deciphering the violations of those in power. There are still other court cases as well. These all exist because there is no freedom of expression in Turkey, because thinking differently is considered a crime, and because human rights activists are to be disabled.” (MÇ/GG/AG)