TURKEY: Conscientious objector Mehmet Bal tortured

Turkish conscientious objector Mehmet Bal was tortured in military prison in Adana. His lawyer reported that he was captived on his legs and arms. In order to prevent him from getting out of his prison uniform, he was even kept captived while in his cell. According to his lawyer, his joints are sore. Although his lawyer protested against this, this practice wasn't changed. Yesterday (12 November), Mehmet Bal was brought to the military court in Adana, where he is charged with "repeated refusal of orders". As soon as chains were taken away, he started to undress. The judge prevented an intervention by the security forces, and agreed with the demand of Mehmet Bal's lawyer to include the facts on torture in his files, and to bring him to a legal medical institution for examination. On 25 November, the next trial will take place. The Solidarity Committee in Izmir expects, that Mehmet Bal will then be transferred to Ankara, as he is also charged with Article 155 ("alienating the people from the military") at the Military Court at the General Staff in Ankara.

At present, it is very important to write to the prison authorities in Adana, to prevent further torture. War Resisters' International urges everybody to write polite but strong letters, demanding an end of the practive of chaining Mehmet Bal's arms and legs. Adana 6. Kolordu Askeri Cezaevi
Adana, Turkey
Fax: +90-322-322 8136

War Resisters' International also calls for letters of protest to Turkish embassies abroad.

More information on Mehmet Bal:
co-alert from 25 October 2002: http://wri-irg.org/news/htdocs/25102002b.html co-alert from 01 November 2002: http://wri-irg.org/news/htdocs/01112002a.html

A photo of Mehmet Bal: http://wri-irg.org/co/MehmetBal.jpg

Andreas Speck
War Resisters' International