Military Investigation on The Death of Private Leads to Confusion

Local Military prosecutor concludes that private Yuksel, whose death was formerly announced a fatality during a clash with the guerrrilla PKK, had committed suicide in September 2008.

şanlıurfa

A local military prosecutor finalizes the investigation on a soldier's killing in September 2008 that contrary to initial allegations of havinng been kiiled by the PKK rebels, he had committed suicide in the army barracks.

Commando l's parents, dissatisfied with the outcome of the investigation file a complaint against the Ministry of Defense.

The case, fuels contprvesry regarding Turkish miltary authorities' obscuring approach related to casualties in "combatting terrorism". Official casuality figures related to the ongoing fight with the pro-Kurdish PKK is yet uncertain, as well as the exact causes of deaths in dozens of cases.

Private Ali Yüksel lost his life on September 8th, 2008. According to news reports leaked from military sources then, he died during a clash with PKK rebels in Elazığ's Karakoçan district countryside. Some reports said he had been kiiled by rebel fire, rather than in a clash. The army executed a widespread operation in the region, following the incident.

Yüksel's death was commuted to his parents by Lieutenant Colonel Metin Şimşek from Şanlıurfa Gendarmerie Commandership. President of the Parliament, Köksal Toptan released a statement of condolence following the death of the soldier.

His funeral witnessed protests. 3 thousand people marched, condemning the PKK. Several army chiefs attended the funeral, as well as state officials.

"Long live the homeland," said the father of the soldier, Hüseyin Yüksel. "Martyrdom is at God's appreciation. This is an honor for us. I would sacrifice all my children for this country."

On February 2nd, the military prosecution's report was relayed to the family. Citing witness testimonies, the report alleged that Yüksel went to the lavatory and shot himself with his gun, losing his life at the hospital.

Family's lawyer Hikmet Delebe questions the report, arguing that it doesn't specifically note if the bullets causing the soldier's death came out of his gun or not.

"Prosecution's report paves the way for the Treasury to pursue the cost of the bullets that led to my Yüksel's death. My client sends his children to the army for homeland defense and in return he's faced with paying for the killing of his child."(EÜ/AGÜ)