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BIAnet.org, Turkey
Sept 6 2012
Demonstrators Protest Release of Turkish-Armenian Soldier's Killer
Human rights activists spearheaded by the Nor Zartonk Initiative
gathered in Istanbul's Taksim Square to protest the release of Kıvanç
AÄ?aoÄ?lu pending trial, prior to the deliverance of the final verdict.
AÄ?aoÄ?lu had shot Sevag Balıkçı, a Turkish citizen of Armenian origin,
to death while they were performing their mandatory military service.
Ekin KARACA
Human rights activists spearheaded by the Nor Zartonk Initiative
gathered in Istanbul's Taksim Square to protest the release of Kıvanç
AÄ?aoÄ?lu pending trial, with only days left before the deliverance of
the final verdict in the Martial Court of the Diyarbakır Second Air
Force Command on Sept. 7.
The demonstrators commemorated the death of Sevag Balıkçı who died
after private Kıvanç AÄ?aoÄ?lu fired his rifle while they were both
performing their mandatory military service on April 24, 2011.
Around 500 demonstrators began marching toward Galatasaray Square at
19:00 behind a banner that read "Militarism kills."
Sevag Balıkçı's family also attended the demonstration along with
anti-war and human rights activists.
The protesters chanted slogans in Turkish, Armenian and Kurdish
throughout the entire march.
"We are all Sevag, we are all Armenians," "The murderous state will be
called to account," "Do not enlist in the military, do no spill a
brother's blood," "Sevag, we will not forget you," "Never to kill or
die, never to become anyone's soldier," "Long live the brotherhood of
peoples," the demonstrators shouted.
The attendants also highlighted the fact that Balıkçı's death
coincided with the 96th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and
rebuffed claims that the incident was merely an accident caused by a
stray bullet.
"Being an Armenian proved costly"
The Nor Zartok Initiative then read a press statement before the
Galatasaray High School, adding that they were also going to make
another press declaration before the courtroom on Sept. 7:
"It was said that Balıkçı had died accidentally due to a bullet fired
from AÄ?aoÄ?lu's weapon while he was performing his mandatory military
service on April 24, 2011, the 96th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide. Being an Armenian once more proved to be costly, and racism
snatched him away from us."
"[Authorities] released Balıkçı's murder suspect after the first
hearing of the case, even though press workers, students, Kurdish
politicians, revolutionaries and academics are incarcerated solely
because they think, question and criticize."
"We were tested in this trial through a variety of ruses. The
murderers have been debunked, however. Witness Halil EkÅ?i changed his
testimony and said AÄ?aoÄ?lu had cocked his gun before firing and that
AÄ?aoÄ?lu's relatives had told him to testify in his favor."
"The murder suspect and the mindset he represents is yet to be
convicted. It is still legitimate to kill an Armenian, just like back
in 1915, and the murderers go unpunished."
"Officials are trying to cover up murders committed in barracks as
'jokes' or 'suicide.' Those who refuse to partake in the state's dirty
and bloody system receive heavy prison sentences and are subjected to
torture in disciplinary wards."
"The dominant mindset is thirsty for more victims that it failed to
homogenize. Thousands died, including many children, due to gunfire
coming from barracks, mortar shells and mines in this war that has
been going on for 30 years. Hundreds are killed inside of barracks,
too, in consequence of acts of 'suicide' and 'accidents' called
'dubious deaths' but leave no doubt as to their true nature."
"It is not just humans, but humanity itself that is dying in the
barracks. We defend life and call on everyone to show the sensitivity
to fight against militarism that is causing the deaths of children
outside of the barracks, the deaths of youngsters inside the barracks
and which has permeated every aspect of life. As for concrete steps,
we are also calling upon youngsters to reject to perform their
mandatory military service and refrain from spilling the blood of a
brother. (EKN)
http://bianet.org/english/human-rights/140720-demonstrators-protest-release-of-turkish-armenian-soldier-s-killer
From: Baghdasarian
Sept 6 2012
Demonstrators Protest Release of Turkish-Armenian Soldier's Killer
Human rights activists spearheaded by the Nor Zartonk Initiative
gathered in Istanbul's Taksim Square to protest the release of Kıvanç
AÄ?aoÄ?lu pending trial, prior to the deliverance of the final verdict.
AÄ?aoÄ?lu had shot Sevag Balıkçı, a Turkish citizen of Armenian origin,
to death while they were performing their mandatory military service.
Ekin KARACA
Human rights activists spearheaded by the Nor Zartonk Initiative
gathered in Istanbul's Taksim Square to protest the release of Kıvanç
AÄ?aoÄ?lu pending trial, with only days left before the deliverance of
the final verdict in the Martial Court of the Diyarbakır Second Air
Force Command on Sept. 7.
The demonstrators commemorated the death of Sevag Balıkçı who died
after private Kıvanç AÄ?aoÄ?lu fired his rifle while they were both
performing their mandatory military service on April 24, 2011.
Around 500 demonstrators began marching toward Galatasaray Square at
19:00 behind a banner that read "Militarism kills."
Sevag Balıkçı's family also attended the demonstration along with
anti-war and human rights activists.
The protesters chanted slogans in Turkish, Armenian and Kurdish
throughout the entire march.
"We are all Sevag, we are all Armenians," "The murderous state will be
called to account," "Do not enlist in the military, do no spill a
brother's blood," "Sevag, we will not forget you," "Never to kill or
die, never to become anyone's soldier," "Long live the brotherhood of
peoples," the demonstrators shouted.
The attendants also highlighted the fact that Balıkçı's death
coincided with the 96th anniversary of the Armenian Genocide and
rebuffed claims that the incident was merely an accident caused by a
stray bullet.
"Being an Armenian proved costly"
The Nor Zartok Initiative then read a press statement before the
Galatasaray High School, adding that they were also going to make
another press declaration before the courtroom on Sept. 7:
"It was said that Balıkçı had died accidentally due to a bullet fired
from AÄ?aoÄ?lu's weapon while he was performing his mandatory military
service on April 24, 2011, the 96th anniversary of the Armenian
Genocide. Being an Armenian once more proved to be costly, and racism
snatched him away from us."
"[Authorities] released Balıkçı's murder suspect after the first
hearing of the case, even though press workers, students, Kurdish
politicians, revolutionaries and academics are incarcerated solely
because they think, question and criticize."
"We were tested in this trial through a variety of ruses. The
murderers have been debunked, however. Witness Halil EkÅ?i changed his
testimony and said AÄ?aoÄ?lu had cocked his gun before firing and that
AÄ?aoÄ?lu's relatives had told him to testify in his favor."
"The murder suspect and the mindset he represents is yet to be
convicted. It is still legitimate to kill an Armenian, just like back
in 1915, and the murderers go unpunished."
"Officials are trying to cover up murders committed in barracks as
'jokes' or 'suicide.' Those who refuse to partake in the state's dirty
and bloody system receive heavy prison sentences and are subjected to
torture in disciplinary wards."
"The dominant mindset is thirsty for more victims that it failed to
homogenize. Thousands died, including many children, due to gunfire
coming from barracks, mortar shells and mines in this war that has
been going on for 30 years. Hundreds are killed inside of barracks,
too, in consequence of acts of 'suicide' and 'accidents' called
'dubious deaths' but leave no doubt as to their true nature."
"It is not just humans, but humanity itself that is dying in the
barracks. We defend life and call on everyone to show the sensitivity
to fight against militarism that is causing the deaths of children
outside of the barracks, the deaths of youngsters inside the barracks
and which has permeated every aspect of life. As for concrete steps,
we are also calling upon youngsters to reject to perform their
mandatory military service and refrain from spilling the blood of a
brother. (EKN)
http://bianet.org/english/human-rights/140720-demonstrators-protest-release-of-turkish-armenian-soldier-s-killer
From: Baghdasarian