ISTANBUL -Stating that the trial process against Şebnem Korur Fincancı was planned in advance,  İHD Istanbul Branch President Gülseren Yoleri said: "The delegation went, made the examinations and measurements and that the criminal complaint should be asked to the MoD."

 

Right after the statements she made about the footages of chemical weapons use that emerged in the attacks carried out by Turkey against the Zap, Avaşîn and Metina areas of the Federated Kurdistan Region, Turkish Medical Association (TTB) Central Council President Prof. Dr. Şebnem Korur Fincancı was arrested on October 27 on charges of "making propaganda for a terrorist organization". Fincancı, whose first hearing was held at the Istanbul 24th Heavy Penal Court in Çağlayan on December 23, stated that she was trying to reveal the truth and that his work disturbed the state.

 

Deciding to continue Fincan's detention, the court postponed the next hearing to December 29, the last day of the year. Following the hearing, Metin Bakkalcı, President of the Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV) and Gülseren Yoleri, President of the Human Rights Association (İHD) Istanbul Branch, spoke about the case and the court's decision.

 

'INDEPENDENT DELEGATION SHOULD GO TO THE REGION'

 

Stating that Fincancı is a world-renowned physician and scientist, Bakkalcı said: "Even an investigation was not right against her. Fincancı's statements were cited as the reason for her arrest. Her statements were evaluations that she made in relation to her field of expertise. And naturally, these assessments can be discussed in scientific settings in the context of scientific freedom. Fincancı should be released at the postponed hearing. Fincancı's request to send an independent delegation regarding the use of chemical weapons in the said regions. The Minister of National Defense (MSB) Hulusi Akar said: "We formed a delegation on November 24. The delegation went and made the examinations and measurements… We have the report that there are no chemicals in any of them.' Fincancı and everyone else working in the field of human rights is demanding something different. She expects the need for research to be carried out by the independent committee. The research conducted by the MSB is an 'internal research' organized by itself, Bakkalcı reiterated that what needs to be done in this regard is an independent committee research rather than an internal research."

 

THE FEAR OF THE GOVERNMENT ABOUT FİNCANCI

 

Reminding that the police blockade at the hearing said: “It is not really possible to understand that the case of a scientist being brought to trial causes such fear and tension in the state. The blockade of our statement in front of the courthouse and the police blockade show that everything was planned in advance; however, despite all this, Fincancı was embraced by everyone. She was brought to the courthouse from Ankara to Istanbul in handcuffs behind back. This is an unacceptable situation.”

 

'EVERYTHING WAS PLANNED'

 

Pointing out that even the judge at the hearing violated the rules of respect towards Fincancı, Yoleri said: "The judge's addressing the lawyers in an informal way, while addressing Şebnem in an informal way, is an example of this. Fincancı defended herself despite everything, The prosecutor's approach during the trial was also remarkable. The prosecutor prepared the opinion on the case before the hearing. The preparation of an opinion is something that will only be formed after the statements of the person prosecuted and his lawyers have been evaluated on the basis of the evidence gathered; however, the fact that the head of the court turned to the prosecutor and said, 'Do you want time to prepare your opinion on detention,' and that the prosecutor's opinion is ready, confirms this, and emphasized that the trial process was planned in advance."

 

'MSB SHOULD BE ASKED'

 

Reminding the MSB's statement that "research has been carried out" after Fincancı's evaluations, Yoleri said: "A research had to be done anyway; therefore, if an investigation needs to be carried out, the question 'why did the Ministry of National Defense complain about Şebnem's request and file a criminal complaint' should be asked to them. The current picture shows that unlawfulness will continue, Yoleri drew attention to the importance of solidarity and struggle at this point."