Jailed Turkish admiral exposes torture he was subjected to: report

News About Turkey - NAT
3 Min Read
PHOTO: CNN Türk

Adm. Nejat Atilla Demirhan, who was sentenced to life in prison on charges involving a failed coup in Turkey in July 2016, has detailed what he went through following the coup and during his trial, in a letter to the Medya Bold news website.

In an eight-page handwritten letter dated Feb. 16, the former garrison commander for the Mediterranean region revealed that he was subjected to physical and psychological torture in lengthy interrogations as well as handcuffed from behind and kept on his knees for 16 hours during his three-day detention from July 16 to July 19 at the counterterrorism branch of the Mersin Police Department.

Demirhan said the complaints he filed were not followed up on by the prosecutor’s office or the judges.

He also recounted memories of witnessing inhumane treatment perpetrated on others, such as Hasan Basri Dağdelen and Süleyman Akçin, two police officers who he saw tortured while lying on the ground in straitjackets with their faces covered in blood.

Demirhan claimed there were cameras on the floors where they were held and interrogated and said their ill treatment could be established “if the records haven’t been deleted.”

Demirhan also alleged that the police destroyed hospital records documenting the torture.

The trial was based on the assumption that he was a coup plotter, was lying and abusing his right to defense, while anyone speaking unfavorably about him was considered to be telling the truth, according to Demirhan.

He also claimed that his two children were blackmailed and threatened into accusing him and his wife.

On the day of the coup, Demirhan was on vacation with his family. He received a phone call from another maritime commander who told him to get back to his troops in Mersin due to a “terror alert.”

He was accused of taking part in the abortive putsch and resisting the police.

He underlined that in Mersin “no one was injured, no bullet was shot, no military vehicle or soldier was seen outside” during the coup.

Source: Turkish Minute

Share This Article
Founded by a small group of Turkish/Kurdish scholars who have been subjected to persecution at the hands of the Erdogan dictatorship, News About Turkey (NAT) has emerged as a platform that is both exceptional and invaluable. Our objective is to provide you with a comprehensive and sophisticated understanding of the events and developments in Turkey (Türkiye), a country with profound historical and geopolitical importance, a vibrant culture, and a strategic location. Our founders, who have been purged by the Erdogan regime after the so-called coup attempt, are aware of the significance of journalism that is both free and independent. Because of this understanding, we are committed to providing reporting and analysis that is both objective and comprehensive. To give you the most thorough coverage of Turkey, we go further than just scratching the surface. Keep in touch with us so that you can have a better understanding of Turkey's developing story as well as vital and comprehensive news items. Whether you are a resident of Turkey, a member of the Turkish/Kurdish diaspora, or simply someone who has a strong interest in this vital country, we are the most reliable source for news that not only informs but also inspires and engages you.
Leave a comment