Court releases soldier days after killing civilian in eastern Turkey
A Turkish court has released Lieutenant Y.A. from prison a few days after he shot without warning and killed 34-year-old Seyithan Durdu in eastern Van province for allegedly smuggling people across the border.
Duvar English
A Turkish court released Lieutenant Y.A. after a week in prison as he shot without warning and killed villager Seyithan Durdu in eastern Van province’s Özalp district, according to a Jan. 8 report by İsmail Saymaz of HalkTV.
Y.A. fired at Durdu, his brother Zübeyt, and 15-year-old nephew Ş.D. while on patrol, after suspecting the group was allegedly involved in migrant smuggling. Durdu, a 34-year-old father of four, was shot in the abdomen while riding a horse.
The soldiers left the scene without helping the injured Durdu and reporting the incident to an emergency number.
According to a report by İsmail Saymaz of Halk TV, Lieutenant Y.A. was arrested on Jan. 1 but released from prison earlier this week.
Durdu’s brother Zübeyt and nephew Ş.D., who witnessed the incident, remain in custody on migrant smuggling charges.
Ş.D. testified on Dec. 31 before the local court, saying that they went to pick up a group of 29-30 migrants.
“After transporting them in a vehicle from Dönerdere, we headed back to our village. A dark blue SUV followed us. We slipped on ice and fell. About 250 meters later, near a canal, I heard two gunshots. I clearly saw the shooters were soldiers,” testified the nephew.
Zübeyt Durdu said that he heard one gunshot. “When I looked back, I saw a soldier examining the body before walking away,” he added.
Additionally, authorities reportedly did not allow Zübeyt Durdu and Ş.D. to attend Seyithan Durdu's funeral.