Families of the Missing Want Confessions to Continue

Following the words of Retired Vice-Admiral Atilla Kiyat, who said; "unsolved murders in the 1990s were a state policy,"  the families of the missing are expecting the state officials to make an explanation. They are saying that those, who went missing under detention and the unsolved murders would not be covered up.

Lawyer Idris Tanis of the families of HADEP officials Serdar Tanis and Ebubekir Deniz, who were ordered to go to the Paramilitary Police Station in Silopi to make a deposition, and who never returned, spoke to bianet about Kiyat's statement:

"We already knew that the state was very well aware of these murders, that the murders are systematic and that the murderers were protected by the state. The perpetrators are clearly defined in our file. But still, Kiyat's statements are very important."

"Ergenekon has not gone beyond Firat"

Tanis called on the prosecutors to fulfill their duties:

"It was known that the perpetrators are those who called Serdar on the phone; Taskin Akgun from Sirnak JITEM, Sirnak field officer Levent Ersoz, Silopi District Commander Suleyman Can and petty officer Selim Gur. We have found out from the witness accounts that their plan was to commit more murders in the region had there not been such a reaction against Serdar's case."

Tanis, who stated that he became hopeful with the beginning of the Ergenokon case, in which Levent Ersoz was also tried, added: "At the time we thought it would go beyond Firat. But unfortunately, Ersoz did not stand trial for killing Serdar and Ebubekir.

"Even if their words stick in their throats, they will confess"

Mikail Kirbayir, the brother of Cemil Kirbayir, who went missing in 1980 under detention, stated that Kiyat's words also include the victims of 12 September.

"The state has always chosen this option to carry on with its dark order. Can there be an unsolved case in state? Everything is clear. It is there. Especially if this crime is directed towards lives..."

"It is like sticking the sun into the eye of that who doesn't want to see "

Kirbayir stated that everything should be done to make those responsible of the unsolved murders to say "I did it." He continued as follows:

"We can only keep our hopes alive, not the state. We are the ones suffering. We have hold their crimes against them, and we will continue to do so. We have to say 'You did it, you are the perpetrator.' And they have to be led to say "I did it." Their words may stick in their throats but they will confess. When we walked to Ankara as the families of the missing, the Prime Minister apparently did not understand what we were doing. One should ask 'Why are these people, who are over 50 years old walking." What if you stick the sun into the eye of that who doesn't want to see. That who doesn't want to see, will not see."

Cemil Kirbayir had been detained after 12 September. He died as a result of tortures, his corpse was thrown out the window and shot at. His family was told that he ran away while under detention. It is not known even today where Cemil Kirbayir is buried. His family continues to look for his tomb.

"It is not possible to hide the truth anymore "

Huseyin Ocak, the brother of Hasan Ocak, who was detained in 1995, tortured and killed and found at the cemetery of those unaccounted for after intensive struggle of his family and friends. "It is very important and valuable that this statement has been made by a general," said Ocak. "But this was something already known by the families of the missing and the victims of unsolved murders."

Ocak stated that now, the most important thing is "for honest prosecutors to take these confessions into account and take action," said Ocak. "Trying several generals does not solve the problem. The important thing is to uncover the forces behind them."

"The other state officials should also start talking," added Ocak. "It is no longer possible to cover this reality up anyway." (BT)