Following the footage of a cat being tortured by a Turkish Armed Forces soldier has drawn widespread outrage on social media, perpetrator of the torture, T.H., who was on mandatory military service, was detained. T.H. was also claimed to have consumed alcohol above legal limits.
The incident reportedly occurred at an Officer’s Club in eastern province of Erzincan on Sunday, when the soldier was captured on cameras torturing a kitten in front of a military lodgment. The soldier, 25, who remains anonymous, can be seen in the video – captured by surveillance cameras mounted on the building – kicking and punching the kitten a number of times.
Following the denunciation, police captured the suspect and then handed him over to the military police, as he is currently on mandatory military service.
After footage of the incident occured, a number of locals gathered in front of the military lodgment to protest the incident, demanding punishment for the soldier.
Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu issued a statement via his official Twitter account following the incident. “I will investigate the incident immediately. Forensic and administrative investigations have started,” said Soylu.
Erzincan Governor Ali Arslantaş released a statement saying the required investigation into the incident and the soldier had been started. “It was determined in the inspection that the perpetrator is private T.H. who is doing his mandatory military service in Erzican Regiment of Communications. The necessary judicial and administrative process has been initiated for the perpetrator of the incident, which has led to public outcry,” the statement said.
Arslantaş added that under normal conditions the soldier had just three days left of his mandatory military duty before he was due to be discharged. “It is understood that three days were left for his discharge and returned from his leave with 221-promil alcohol in his blood,” added he.
Turkish General Staff has also announced that an investigation has been launched into the incident that occurred at Erzican Officer’s House on December 3, 2017.
The highest fine in Turkey imposed on the people who rape, ill-treat and torture stray animals is 546 TL (117 Euros).
