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ERBIL, Kurdistan Region — Ankara must immediately conduct an “independent and impartial” investigation into allegations that two Kurdish men were thrown from a helicopter in Van province, Amnesty International said on Friday.
Osman Siban, 50, and Servet Turgut, 55, were arrested during a counter-terror operation on September 11. A medical report confirms that they were injured after being thrown from a military helicopter, the independent news outlet Duvar reported on Wednesday.
“These claims must be immediately investigated in an independent and impartial way, and persons suspected of carrying out the alleged torture or other ill-treatment must be brought to justice with a fair trial,” read the statement from Amnesty.
The rights group added that Siban’s lawyer has told them that his client was detained without a warrant, adding that they have no access to their files.
“Amnesty International calls on the authorities to ensure that Osman Siban and Servet Turgut have access to effective legal representation in the investigation and all subsequent trials,” the statement added.
Graphic photos of Siban’s injuries went viral on social media last week. The incident was first reported by the pro-Kurdish Mezopotamya Agency (MA).
Siban’s lawyers told Bianet news agency that their client has lost his memory, only recalling that he was detained and dropped from a helicopter later that day. He has been discharged from hospital and has returned home to Mersin. However, Turgut remains in critical condition.
“The hospital report shows that Osman Şiban may have a neck injury, bruises and swelling in his elbows and knees, both eyes were severely damaged, and he also had 'meaningless speech' and disorientation,” Amnesty added.
Van’s Public Prosecutor’s Office said on Monday that it had launched an investigation into the incident and the claims.
The pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) called on the Turkish parliament on Monday to investigate the incident.
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