Wednesday, September 16, 2009

Gutsy Turkish newspaper challenges army's dominance - The Globe and Mail

"Gutsy Turkish newspaper challenges army's dominance

Caleb Lauer

Istanbul — Special to The Globe and Mail Last updated on Wednesday, Sep. 16, 2009 08:35PM EDT

Last month, four Turkish families with men in the army received the dreaded news: “Your sons have fallen as martyrs while on operation.”

Ten days after the four young men were buried, the public was able to read the eyewitness accounts in a small and remarkable newspaper called Taraf. Ibrahim Ozturk, 25, had fallen asleep while on guard duty. After he was found out, his commanding officer pulled the pin of a grenade and handed it to him. He was ordered to hold it, with its safety lever depressed, until he understood the importance of staying awake. Mr. Ozturk scavenged for a spare pin. He pleaded with his superior. After less than an hour the grenade exploded in his hand, killing him and three other conscripts. Forced to admit there had been a cover-up, the army charged the officer with murder."

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