TURKEY: Conscientious objector Mehmet Bal released

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War Resisters' International was informed yesterday that Mehmet Bal was released from military prison on 28 January 2003. This was a surprise to everyone involved in support conscientious objectors in Turkey. As reported earlier, Mehmet Bal was arrested by Secret Service on 22 January 2003 (see TK12718-230103), and was then transferred to Adana military prison (see TK12718-240103). In Adana Mehmet Bal was interviewed by the military prosecutor, who carefully listened to Mehmet Bal's explanations. Bal said that he is a conscientious objector and does not see himself as a deserter. The prosecutor decided to start a trial, but without keeping Mehmet Bal in prison. He wanted to send him back to his unit, where he should get holidays, so that he would be able to spent the upcoming public holidays with his family. Back at his military unit in Mersin Mehmet Bal was accomodated in the officers' guest house. On Monday, 27 January, the commander gave order to transfer Mehmet Bal to the military hospital in Adana. There Mehmet Bal was asked to shave (to take a picture), and to fill in a questionnaire with 550 questions. Mehmet Bal refused both. As a result of this, the doctors gave him three months holidays to recover, because of "a social disturbance of his personality". He was ordered to report to the medical academy of the Turkish military in Ankara at the end of this three months period. On 28 January in the afternoon, Mehmet Bal was released.

It is still unclear why all this happened. Turkish activists think that the entire episode - arrest by Secret Service and release because of holidays for medical reasons - was planned. They expect that Mehmet Bal is supposed to be discharged for medical reasons after the three months period. Mehmet himself at present does not want to present himself after the end of his holidays, as he sees himself as a conscientious objector. It is likely that he will again be arrested in May, or later.

War Resisters' International will continue to monitor the case of Mehmet Bal. We thank all of you for your quick response and solidarity.

Andreas Speck
War Resisters' International