TURKEY: Conscientious objector Mehmet Bal on his way to Adana

Turkish conscientious objector Mehmet Bal, who was "arrested" by one of Turkey's many secret services on 22 January 2003, and brought to the recruitment center, was sent to "his" military unit in Mersin at 5pm yesterday. We expect that he now is on his way to the Military Prison in Adana. Yesterday Mehmet Bal's lawyers were not allowed to see him. The justification that was given was that so far no case was opened against Mehmet Bal, so that he doesn't need any lawyers.

To protect Mehmet Bal from abuse and mistreatment in prison, War Resisters' International urgently calls for protest faxes to the Turkish authorities, especially to the Military Prison and the Military Court in Adana.

Prison: Adana 6. Kolordu Askeri Cezaevi Court: Adana 6. Kolordu Askeri Mahkemesi Tel: +90-322-3228367
Fax: +90-322-3228136

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

Addresses:
Ahmet Nezdet Sezer
Office of the President
Cumhurbaskanligi
06100 Ankara, Turkey
Fax: +90 312 468 5026
email: cumhurbaskanligi@tccb.gov.tr

Ministry of Foreign Affairs
Balgat 06100 Ankara - Turkey
Tel: +90-312-292-1000
Fax: +90-312-287-1886
E-mail : webmaster@mfa.gov.tr

Addresses of Turkish embassies can be found here: http://www.mfa.gov.tr/grupg/ge/be.htm