Forensic specialist Şebnem Korur Ficancı told The Independent (Turkish) that the Turkish authorities aim was covering up allegations of chemical weapons use that required investigating by launching a hurried investigation against her for even commenting on the allegations.
On Thursday, the Turkish authorities launched a hurried investigation against Fincancı who is also the Chair of the Turkish Medical Association (TTB), over her comments on Turkey’s alleged chemical attacks against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in its cross-border military operations.
“They are intimidating the public by criminalising me,” said Fincancı, adding that the footage, which is the source of the allegations, requires an independent and effective investigation.
Stating that “there is suspicion of chemical use due to involuntary movements” in the footage, Fincancı said that by criminalising to mention of the subject, the authorities “also create the impression that they really committed a crime and are trying to cover it up.” Instead, the forensic expert argued that the necessary investigation should be done with samples and autopsies.
Fincancı also criticised how her expert comments on the subject were reported. “There has been reporting as if I actually said chemicals have been used. I said no such thing,” she noted. “I said it should be investigated. Speaking on live television, I was saying it is impossible to say from images.”
As a forensic specialist working in human rights, Fincancı said, “it is not a crime to want the allegations to be investigated.”
The forensic expert stated that she is not worried about being arrested, “But they create such anxiety in the society and cause the society to remain silent,” she added.
Fincancı said she has no information about the investigation process since she is in Germany right now and would return to Turkey on Sunday: “We will see if they detain me directly from the plane.”