Verdict of non-prosecution isssued in Roboski investigation

AMED | 07-01-2014 | The military prosecutor of the chief of General Staff has issued a verdict of non-prosecution in the investigation into the massacre of 34 people who were killed as the result of a bombardment by Turkish warplanes near the village of Roboski in the Şırnak’s Uludere district on 28 December 2011. Victims of the massacre were mostly children involved in border trade to earn a living for the family.

Ferhat Encü who lost many relatives of his in the massacre wrote on his Twitter account that military prosecutor finished his investigation and ruled that Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) is not to blame.

In a statement condemning the verdict, Diyarbakır Bar Association President Tahir Elçi said they would object to the ruling of the military court when it is announced.

Elçi said the verdict came as no surprise, underlining that the military prosecution office of the chief of General Staff wasn’t expected anyway to render a fair judgment, and commented the verdict of non-prosecution as an unlawful and unacceptable decision subject to objection.

Elçi added that they would go to the Constitutional Court should the military court reject their objection against the ruling.

The chief public prosecutor’s office of Diyarbakır had ruled the Roboski case out of its jurisdiction and transferring the case to the military prosecutor of the chief of General Staff in September. (ANF)