A Turkish military court has sentenced conscientious objectors Onur Erden and Uğur Gültekin 10 months for jail term over the fact that they have been refusing to serve in the Turkish army.
According to a report released by Bianet news portal, the Gelibolu 2nd Corps Commandership Military Court handed down the sentence to two “conscientious objectors” on Thursday on the ground that they declared their refusal to join the Turkish army.
Military service in Turkey is compulsory for all male citizens between 20 – 41 years of age. Women are also allowed only to become officers choosing it as a career enrolling in military schools and not as conscripts.
Releasing a statement following the court ruling, Conscientious Objection Association lawyer Gökhan Sosyal stated that it was unlawful that his clients were tried by a military court over being conscientious objectors.
The two objectors will be behind bars for 10 months if the penalty is approved by the Supreme Military Court. (turkeypurge.com) March 24, 2017
