A-Infos (en) Turkey; army objectors' declarations

["Batur Özdinç" <batur_ozdinc@hotmail.com>]

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More than 60 people attended today's (24 January 2003) anti-militarist press 
release in Istanbul-IHD (Human Rights Association). Reporters from a number 
of papers and news agencies were also present although it is suspected that 
military itself prevents Turkish mainstream media. A group of uniformed 
policemen were waiting outside but inside no civil cop was noticed.

First of all, statement of Antimilitarist Solidarity Network on Mehmet Bal's 
re-arrestment was declared. Then, common declaration of all objectors was 
stated. Support statement of Antimilitarist Solidarity Network to the 
objectors was read. New objectors Mustafa Şeyhoğlu, Erkan Ersöz, Sertaç 
Girgin and Emir Üner reading their own manifests declared that they reject 
military service. The former objectors Yavuz Atan, Uğur Yorulmaz, Erdem 
Yalçınkaya, Mehmet Tarhan, Timuçin Kızılay, Hasan Çimen and Erkan Çaldur 
'reminded' their declarations stating their position against the army and 
the state.

Here is the declaration of Antimilitarist Solidarity Network about army 
objector Mehmet Bal's re-arrestment:

FREEDOM TO MEHMET BAL!

Mehmet Bal who was arrested on 24th of October after declaring his 
conscientious objection on military and any other alternative (service) 
which will be opposed to him had been released on 27th of November 2002. 
During this process, Bal had faced various kinds of violence and pressure. 
Bal was released after the court decided that there was no need for any 
inquiry according to TCK 155 (military law).

Two days ago, in the evening of 21 January 2003 he was taken by JITEM 
(Gendarme Agents) from the house he was living in Izmir. We had learned that 
Mehmet Bal was taken to the military office and his lawyers did see him. But 
later, when his lawyers wanted to see him again their demands were rejected 
with the claim that yet there is no inquiry on him and this is why he does 
not need any lawyer. Mehmet Bal is sent to Izmir-Konak Province Gendarme 
Commandership to be transferred to his troop.

We -as antimilitarists- are declaring that we will carry on being supporters 
and followers of Mehmet and his action as we had stated before.

ANTIMILITARIST SOLIDARITY NETWORK

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