3 Doctors from Turkish Medical Association Released
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Prof. Dr. Sinan Adıyaman, Dr. Ayfer Horasan and Dr. Şeyhmus Gökalp from the Turkish Medical Association (TTB) Central Council were sent to Ankara Courthouse to give statement to the prosecutor’s office this morning (February 2).
Gökalp in Diyarbakır and Horasan in Van were detained and taken to Ankara.
The three doctors were released on probation by the Criminal Judgeship of Peace where they were referred to.
According to the information given to bianet by lawyer Deniz Özbilgin, the other members Prof. Dr. Mehmet Raşit Tükel, Prof. Dr. Taner Gören, Dr. Hande Arpat, Dr. Mehmet Sezai Berber, Dr. Selma Güngör, Dr. Bülent Nazım Yılmaz, Dr. Funda Barlık Obuz and Dr. Dursun Yaşar Ulutaş are still in Ankara Security Directorate Anti-Terror Bureau.
The doctors are charged with “propagandizing for the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK)” due to their statement entitled “War is a Matter of Public Health” standing against the military campaign launched into Afrin by the Turkish Armed Forces and Free Syrian Army.
What happened?
On January 26, 2018, President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called TTB “terrorist lovers” at the Extended Provincial Chairs Meeting at the AKP Headquarters. The title of the declaration which Erdoğan denounced was “terrorist lovers”.
CLICK - Erdoğan Calls Turkish Medical Association 'Terrorist Lovers'
Erdoğan targeted the TTB in Çorum and Amasya as well yesterday (January 28). On his return from his inspection at the Repatriation Center in Antep, Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu told journalists that he would file a criminal complaint against the TTB.
Prof. Erez had spoken to bianet
Speaking to bianet, Chair of İstanbul Chamber of Medicine Prof. Dr. Selçuk Erez had said:
“We the doctors always prefer peace over war.
“Our sensitivity naturally increases when it comes to a war that will end the life our soldiers, in other words our children. However, our sensitivity applies to our neighbours as well. This cannot be interpreted as terrorist loving”.
Investigation was launched
On January 28, the Ministry of Interior declared that it will file a criminal complaint to Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office against the TTB Central Council members.
CLICK - Ministry of Interior to File Criminal Complaint Against Turkish Medical Association
An investigations was launched upon the criminal complaint on January 29.
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Declaration of the TTB We the doctors warn: War is a human-made matter of public health causing harm in nature and human and threatening public life. Every conflict, every war brings a huge humanitarian tragedy with it by causing irreparable physical, psychological, social and environmental damages. As member of a profession that vows to make people live, we keep in mind that advocating life and looking out for the peace climate is our primary duty. The only way to deal with war is to perpetuate a fair, democratic, equalitarian, independent and peaceful life. No to war, peace right now! |
(AS/TK)