Investigation reaches no conclusion in death of General Bitlis

ANKARA – Anatolia News Agency

Former top gendarmerie commander Gen. Bitlis. Hürriyet photo

The authorities examining the photographs of a plane crash in which former general Eşref Bitlis died on Feb. 17, 1993 have said they are “unable to determine the cause of the crash.”

As it has been revealed that the plane wreck was sold to a waste collector, but public prosecutor Hüseyin Şahin asked the General Staff Military Prosecutor’s office to submit the crime scene photos.

Experts from the Transportation, Navigation and Communication Ministry’s Department for Accident Research and Examination, the Criminal Police Laboratory, the Ankara Police Department, and Civil Aviation examined nearly 15 photos and prepared a report. However, the report said it was not possible to reach a conclusion though the photos.

The statute of limitations for the investigation into Bitlis’ death will run out on Feb. 17.

Bitlis’ death had led to speculation that he was assassinated by the “deep state” because of his willingness to try to solve the Kurdish problem outside the parameters of the Turkish state’s official policies, including through a plan to give more rights to Kurds.

The General Staff, the Gendarmerie General Command, the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) and the Security General Directorate also told the Prosecutor’s Office that they did not have any information or documents indicating that the plane crash happened as a result of sabotage.