Family of guerrilla not given his remains after waiting 135 days

The family of guerrilla Seyithan Acay (Brusk Reşit), who fell a martyr during an air attack on 30 July, has been waiting for 135 days to have his remains delivered.

Three HPG guerrillas, including Seyithan Acay, fell as martyrs during an airstrike on Gabar Mountain after clashes with the Turkish army on 30 July.

The bodies of the guerrillas were taken to the morgue of Şırnak State Hospital. The Acay family, who wanted to recover the remains of their son, applied to the prosecutor's office, but could not recognise the bodies shown to them.

The family therefore gave a blood sample to have a DNA test performed and began to wait. Meanwhile, the bodies were buried in the cemetery of the nameless in Şırnak.

The Acay family learned that the DNA sample given 3 months earlier had actually not been sent to the Forensic Medicine Institute (ATK). Upon this, the family went to the prosecutor's office and was informed that they should wait for a new prosecutor to be appointed.

DNA samples were finally sent to the ATK in October after the arrival of the new prosecutor. However, 135 days have already passed since then and Acay's family is still waiting to be delivered the remains of their son.

Seyithan Acay’s mother, Rukiye Acay, said that she could not recognise her son when she was brought to the morgue to see the bodies, as they were in such a terrible state.

Rukiye Acay said: "Until when will we have to wait? We have been told to wait for two months. We petitioned to the prosecutor twice. First they said 15 days. After 2 months. It's been 4 months. Now they said we have to wait an extra 2 months. What are we going to do? We are looking for our rights to be granted. We want our child to be able to bury him. My heart is falling apart. I am a mother.”

Rukiye Acay added: “They have no right to torture me like this.”