Court arrests three Turkish soldiers for beating Syrian refugees near border

HATAY/ANKARA

A court has ruled for the arrest of three soldiers for beating and verbally abusing four Syrian refugees who attempted to cross the border illegally in the southern border province of Hatay. 

Another soldier was released as part of an investigation carried out by the Altınözü Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office into the incident on July 31. 

The Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) on July 30 said the soldiers who were seen in a video footage mistreating Syrian refugees at the border were detained. 

The army said “all necessary administrative and legal procedures” were launched into the incident, which drew widespread criticism on social media. 

The video that was recorded on July 28 at around 11:00 a.m. shows four Turkish soldiers kicking and beating the Syrians. It was filmed by another soldier, whose shadow appears in the footage. 

The military said the Syrians who attempted to cross illegally were deported back after passing medical checks.