The United Nations Demands the Immediate Release of General Akin Öztürk

The United Nations Human Rights Council Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has made a highly significant ruling regarding General Akin Öztürk, the former Commander of the Turkish Air Force.

The UN Working Group determined that General Öztürk was arrested arbitrarily and without reasonable suspicion, and that he was denied a fair trial. For these reasons, it has called for his immediate release.

The Working Group also ruled that compensation must be paid to General Öztürk and that an investigation should be launched against those responsible for the violations of his rights.

Following the events of the July 15 plot, General Akin Öztürk was arrested, tortured, and sentenced to 141 aggravated life sentences.

In the decision adopted at the Working Group’s 100th session, held from August 26 to 30, 2024, the following statements were made:

“Taking all circumstances of the case into account, the Working Group considers that the appropriate remedy would be the immediate release of Mr. Öztürk and the granting of enforceable rights to compensation and other reparations in accordance with international law.”

“The Working Group calls on the Government to ensure a full and independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding Mr. Öztürk’s arbitrary deprivation of liberty and to take all appropriate measures against those responsible for the violation of his rights.”

It was also revealed that the UN Working Group has initiated an ‘urgent action’ procedure regarding the case.