'Sabahattin Ali's death should be re-investigated': Application from 5 professional organizations to the Ministry of Justice

Five professional organizations made a joint application in order to shed light on the discussions regarding the death of writer, poet and journalist Sabahattin Ali in 1948.

Turkish Journalists Association (TGC), Turkish Publishers Association, Turkish Journalists Union (TGS), Turkish Writers Union (TYS) and PEN Writers Association requested the Ministry of Justice to re-examine the investigation and trial files regarding the death of Sabahattin Ali.

In the application, it was stated that although 78 years have passed since the incident, the question marks regarding the author's death have not been resolved.

AN INVESTIGATION OF THE CLAIMS REGARDING HIS DEATH WAS REQUESTED

In the joint application, it was emphasized that the official narrative regarding Sabahattin Ali's death did not end the discussions in literature, history and law circles.

It was stated that the allegations that the author was captured while under the control of the security and intelligence mechanisms of the period and that he died as a result of ill-treatment or torture were not independently and comprehensively investigated.

It was noted that the lack of definitive identification of the body, the unknown fate of the remains after the autopsy, and the deficiencies in the trial documents increased the suspicions.

"ONE OF THE MOST DISCUSSED FILES IN THE HISTORY OF THE REPUBLIC"

In the application, it was stated that clarifying the death of Sabahattin Ali does not only mean investigating an individual event, and that the issue is important in terms of clarifying one of the most discussed unsolved files in the history of the Republic.

Pointing to Article 17 of the Constitution, which guarantees the right to life, and Article 2, which regulates the principle of the rule of law, it was emphasized that effective investigation of deaths is among the obligations of the state.

It was stated that failure to eliminate suspicions that an author may have been targeted because of his or her thoughts also poses a problem in terms of freedom of thought and press.

CALL FOR RESEARCH DESPITE THE STATUTE OF LIMITATION

In the application, it was argued that statute of limitations provisions may come into question since many years have passed since the incident, but this does not prevent the investigation of historical facts.

It was pointed out that new findings can be obtained with DNA analysis, forensic anthropology and archive examination methods used today.

It was requested that the file regarding the death of Sabahattin Ali be included in the scope of the work of the relevant units within the Ministry of Justice.

THREE REQUESTS FROM THE MINISTRY OF JUSTICE

The following demands were listed in the joint application of five professional organizations:

Re-examination of the investigation and trial files regarding the death of Sabahattin Ali, including the case against Ali Ertekin and the amnesty decision.

Researching documents related to the incident in the police, gendarmerie, intelligence and other state archives.

Determining the place where Sabahattin Ali is buried and, if possible, conducting DNA and anthropological examination with the consent of his relatives.

In the application, it was also requested that the information obtained as a result of the research be shared with the public.

Professional organizations emphasized that clearing the doubts about Sabahattin Ali's death is important for the rule of law, freedom of the press and social memory.