On 15 July 2016, during the events of the so-called coup attempt in Türkiye, Akin Öztürk, former Commander of the Turkish Air Force, returned to Ankara from his annual leave, which he had spent at a military summer facility in İzmir. His return was prompted by his wife’s health issues. That evening, he received a call from an aide notifying him of an attack on the General Staff headquarters. Acting on a request from the Air Force Commander, he went to Akıncı Air Base to help stop the unfolding events. Despite his efforts, on 17 July 2016, he was detained without a warrant under the pretense of providing a witness statement and taken into police custody.
The Working Group on Arbitrary Detention, established by the United Nations Human Rights Council, investigates cases of deprivation of liberty inconsistent with international human rights standards. It provides opinions, urges remedies, and engages with governments to address violations of international law. The decision taken by the UN Working Group during its 100th session, held between 26–30 August 2024, was recently communicated to Akin Öztürk’s lawyers.
The Working Group determined that Mr. Öztürk’s arrest and detention violated multiple international standards. The arrest occurred without a warrant, and he was subjected to torture, including acid poured on his fingernails, prolonged nudity, and physical and verbal abuse. He was deprived of basic needs such as food, sleep, and medical care. Mr. Öztürk was denied access to his chosen lawyer, receiving only a Bar-appointed lawyer who documented his visible injuries. Witness testimonies were heard privately without defense representation, and expert reports proving manipulation of camera footage were ignored.
The Working Group deemed his 10-month solitary confinement as a form of torture, with irreversible psychological effects, and found that the Government failed to justify the legality of his arrest and detention. They invoked urgent action due to his deteriorating health and reminded Türkiye of its obligation under Article 10(1) of the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights to treat detainees humanely.
The Working Group urged his immediate release and access to compensation under international law, a full and independent investigation into his arbitrary detention, dissemination of their findings publicly and widely, and a country visit to Türkiye to highlight concerns over the pattern of arbitrary detentions.
As the Right Defenders Initiative (RDI), we strongly condemn the human rights violations suffered by Akin Öztürk and demand his immediate release. We call on the Turkish Government to implement the Working Group’s recommendations, hold perpetrators accountable, and ensure due process for all. We stand in solidarity with victims of human rights abuses and remain committed to justice, fairness, and dignity for all.
https://muyesseryildiz.com/2025/02/12/bmden-ankaraya-sok-akin-ozturku-serbest-birakin
https://www.cumhuriyet.com.tr/siyaset/bmden-cok-konusulacak-akin-ozturk-karari-2299046
