A United Nations working group has determined that former Turkish Air Force Commander Akın Öztürk, sentenced to multiple life terms over the 2016 coup attempt, was arbitrarily detained without reasonable suspicion and denied a fair trial. The UN Working Group on Arbitrary Detention has called for Öztürk’s immediate release, compensation for his imprisonment, and an investigation into those responsible for his alleged mistreatment.
The decision, issued following the UN panel’s 100th session from August 26-30, 2024, was recently delivered to Öztürk’s legal team. The 13-page ruling cited multiple rights violations, including torture, unfair trial procedures, and fabricated evidence used against the former military officer.
UN Panel: No Evidence Supporting Government Claims
Öztürk, who served as the commander of Turkey’s Air Force from 2013 to 2015 before becoming a Supreme Military Council (YAŞ) member, was accused by the Turkish government of being a leader in the July 15, 2016, coup attempt. However, the UN panel found no credible evidence linking him to the failed coup.
According to Öztürk’s defense, on the night of July 15, he was at his daughter’s house with his grandchild when he first learned of the coup attempt. Call records and security footage confirm he had no prior knowledge of the events. He later traveled to the Akıncı Air Base at the request of senior military officials, including then-Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar, in an effort to negotiate with the coup plotters.
Despite his attempts to defuse the situation, Öztürk was detained on July 17, 2016, without an arrest warrant and subjected to physical abuse, including acid being poured on his nails and severe beatings. He spent over 10 months in solitary confinement under harsh conditions. His trial, according to the UN panel, was deeply flawed—key witnesses were heard in private sessions, crucial evidence was tampered with, and he was paraded before the public in a humiliating “walk of shame.”
Turkish Government Fails to Justify Arrest
The Turkish government failed to adequately respond to the UN’s inquiries regarding Öztürk’s detention, missing deadlines and providing a delayed response on May 23, 2024. The UN panel rejected Ankara’s claims that his arrest complied with international human rights obligations.
“The government did not explain how Öztürk’s detention without a warrant was legally necessary,” the report stated. The panel also criticized the use of coerced witness testimony and the lack of forensic evidence linking Öztürk to the deaths attributed to the coup attempt.
Immediate Release and Investigation Demanded
The UN panel’s ruling calls for urgent action, citing concerns over Öztürk’s deteriorating health. The working group emphasized that arbitrary detentions in Turkey have increased significantly in recent years and warned that systematic violations of international law could constitute crimes against humanity.
As a result, the panel has urged Turkish authorities to:
- Immediately release Öztürk
- Provide compensation and reparations
- Conduct a full investigation into those responsible for rights violations
The ruling further underscores growing international scrutiny of Turkey’s human rights record, particularly regarding the mass arrests and trials following the 2016 coup attempt. The Turkish government has yet to issue an official response to the UN’s latest findings.
