ULUDERE

Gendarmerie Colonel Hüseyin Onur Güney, Deputy Commander of the Gülyazı Border Regiment, was removed from office in the course of the investigation into the military operation in Uludere (south-eastern province of Şırnak). 35 civilians died in an air strike on the area on 28 December after they had entered Turkey form Iraq.

Five people were arrested on the grounds of an alleged attack against Governor District Naif Yavuz.

Vahdettin Özkan, Governor of Şırnak, had applied to the Ministry of the Interior for the dismissal of Colonel Güney. On Sunday (8 January), it was announced that Colonel Güney was deposed from office.

On 7 January, five people were arrested under charges of "attempted premeditated murder" because of an attack against Naif Yavuz, Governor of the Uludere District. Initially, a group of seven people was taken into custody on the grounds of the alleged attack.

The arrested Mehmet Altürk, Faris Kaya, Ferdi Alma, Faruk Encu and Özcan Encu were taken to the Şırnak Closed Prison.

District Governor Yavuz was attacked when he paid a condolence visit to one of the families of the 35 civilians who were killed during the air strike. Yavuz was injured at his head. He resumed office on 3 January after he had undergone medical treatment at the Şırnak Military Hospital. (NV/VK)