TURKEY: Conscientious objector Halil Savda arrested

Today Turkish conscientious objector Halil Savda (TK14682) has been
arrested while attending trial at the Corlu Military Court.

Halil Savda has a complex
story. He spent several years in prison, sentenced on charges of
"supporting an illegal organisation". After serving his sentence, he
was released from prison on 18 November 2004, and was sent handcuffed
from prison to Antep Gendarmerie Station because of his desertion from
military service. On 25 November 2004, he was transferred to "his"
military unit in Corlu-Tekirdag. There he declared that because of the
torture he had to endure in 1993, he cannot serve as a soldier. In a
letter to the Commander he declared himself a conscientious objector,
and demanded that Turkey finally recognises the right to conscientious
objection. He had been released on 28 December 2004, with the trial
still pending. He was given an order to report to his military unit,
but went home instead.

On 4 January 2005, Corlu Military Court sentenced Halil Savda to 3
months and 15 days imprisonment for "persistent disobedience". Halil
Savda appealed against the sentence, and on 25 October 2005 he applied
to the European Court of Human Rights for an interim measure in order
to be protected against being detained and sent to his military unit
against his will.

On 13 August 2006, the Military Supreme Court annuled the  decision of
the Corlu Military Court based on procedural deficiencies. The case was
referred back to the Corlu Military Court, and today was the first
hearing in a new trial at Corlu Military Court.

Halil Savda is spokesman of the Conscientious Objection Platform, which
was formed on 21 October 2006 to work for the legal recognition of the
right to conscientious objection.

War Resisters' International calls for letters of protest to the
Turkish authorities, and Turkish embassies abroad.

• General Staff of the Turkish Military: Fax +90-312-4250813

• Presidency of the Turkish Republic: Fax +90-312-4271330, email cumhurbaskanligi@tccb.gov.tr

• A protest email to the Turkish President Ahmet Nezdet Secer can
  be sent at http://wri-irg.org/co/alerts/20061207a.html.

War Resisters' International calls for the immediate release of
Halil Savda and all other imprisoned conscientious objectors.

Andreas Speck

War Resisters' International

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