Army rejectionist arrested in Istanbul

national | anti-war / imperialism | news report Wednesday June 11, 2008 11:34 by Sevinc Karaca - WSM-Personal Capacity nazire.sevinc at gmail dot com

Mehmet Bal was arrested on 8th of June.

Every Turkish man who reach 20 has to do a mandatory service of 16 months in the Turkish Army. A group of Turkish men, including Mehmet have been rejecting to comply with it.

They have faced, arrests, beatings and restraining of their rights such as obtaining passports.
Mehmet Bal was arrested on 8th of June on his way to his home in Arnavutkoy, Istanbul. Mehmet was assaulted under custody.
Turkey spends %60 of its annual budget on arms and militarization, it is the second biggest receopient of USA military aid and provides bases for US army in the south of the country. Generals sit in the National Security Council, an executice body who basically makes and implements decisons on running the country. While the state pours billions into arms and technology, ordinary soldiers live in cramped conditions and driven to the frontline to face death in the war against PKK.
Solidarity with army rejectionists!
Long live to the resistance of Mehmet!