Four tried in troop deaths

KYRENIA / DİYARBAKIR - Doğan News Agency

Two court trials regarding the deaths of two soldiers, one Turkish and one Turkish-Armenian draftee, who died in two separate cases allegedly due to violence and stray bullets, were held Dec. 16. The cases were adjourned.

Three troops who allegedly tortured Uğur Kantar to death in a disciplinary ward were tried in the city of Kyrenia in Cyprus. A court in Diyarbakır saw the suspect whose rifle allegedly accidentally discharged and killed Turkish-Armenian soldier Sevag Balikçi.

The military court in Kyrenia ordered the continuation of the three suspects’ detention. One of the suspects, Ayhan Arslan, is to be tried in the eastern province of Elazığ, as he was already removed from service Dec. 13. 

The military court in Kyrenia, meanwhile, adjourned the trial until March 27, 2012 and ruled for the collection of witness’ testimonies and further evidence.