Dr. Şebnem Korur Fincancı, Chairperson of the Turkish Medical Association (TBB) was arrested by Turkish police this morning. Turkey’s top human rights advocate is being investigated for saying that the allegations of use of chemical weapons by the Turkish army against the PKK in Iraqi Kurdistan should be investigated.
The Ankara Office of the Chief Public Prosecutor has accused Fincancı of “making propaganda for a terrorist organisation”, and gave this as the reason for Fincancı’s detention.
The prosecutor also asked the court to terminate Fincancı’s role as Chair of the TTB Central Council.
The state-aligned news agency TRT Haber has tweeted that “organisation-related” books and ammunition were seized during a search of Dr Korur’s flat, and shared a video of police searching the flat.
Amnesty International’s researcher for Turkey Guney Yildiz tweeted. “Dr. Şebnem Korur Fincancı, Chairperson of the Turkish Medical Association was taken into custody this morning. She is being investigated for saying that the allegations of use of chemical weapons by the Turkish Military against the PKK in Iraqi Kurdistan should be investigated.” adding, “She is taken into custody under Terrorism Law no 3713 (7/2) and other laws. The investigation, among other things, is one of the first instances of the newly passed article 217/A “Publicly disseminating misleading information” (“Disinformation law”) being utilised.”
Dr. Şebnem Korur Fincancı, Chairperson of the Turkish Medical Association was taken into custody this morning. She is being investigated for saying that the allegations of use of chemical weapons by the Turkish Military against the PKK in Iraqi Kurdistan should be investigated.
— Güney YILDIZ (@guneyyildiz) October 26, 2022
In response to the arrest, the TTB tweeted: “We do not accept what has been done to Dr Şebnem Korur Fincancı, who was detained today after a lynching campaign that has been going on for some time. We will continue our struggle by protecting her and our organisation!”
Bir süredir yürütülen linç kampanyasının ardından bugün gözaltına alınan hocamız Dr. Şebnem Korur Fincancı'ya yapılanları asla kabul etmiyoruz.
Hocamıza ve örgütümüze sahip çıkarak mücadelemizi sürdüreceğiz! pic.twitter.com/tK16cRYQLR
— Türk Tabipleri Birliği (@ttborgtr) October 26, 2022
The Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) also tweeted, saying that “Şebnem Korur Fincancı’s detention is a panicked attempt by the government to cover its crimes”, adding that attacks of this nature cannot conceal the truth.
The People’s Defence Forces (HPG) released footage showing two guerrillas who had been caught in a Turkish chemical weapons attack, on which Fincancı commented, stating that she had watched the footage, and that an independent investigation needed to be launched into the allegations.
Fincancı, who is an expert in forensic medicine, said in a Medya Haber broadcast that she examined the footage and concluded that some toxic chemical gas could have been used that directly affects the nervous system.
Fincancı said to Gazete Karınca, “I make these assessments not as the Chair of the TTB, but as a forensic medicine expert.” Regarding the investigation against her, she said, “This is intimidation and I won’t refrain from giving my opinion just because of an investigation.”
Following Fincancı’s statements, Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan targeted her saying “Our armed forces have never committed the fault of using chemical weapons. It has taken all its steps in accordance with the international law and it will continue to do so.”
The chairman of the Turkish Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Devlet Bahçeli also had targeted Fincancı saying “Whoever makes accusations against the noble Turkish soldier is a terrorist, dishonest, a traitor, and the spilled blood of the martyrs is on their heads.”
