Family of Lokman Görgün applies to IHD after his extra judicial execution

The family of Lokman Görgün, the father of 8 children who was executed in Mardin and accused of being a “PKK member” by the Turkish authorities, applied to the Human Rights Association (IHD).

On 8 April, HPG guerrilla Musa Kahraman (Xebatkar Bagok) and his uncle Lokman Görgün were executed on the village road in the rural neighbourhood of Cinata in the Omeriya (Ömeryan) region of Mardin (Mêrdîn).

Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu claimed that they were both PKK members and, with this, it justified the execution. However, it soon came to light that Lokman Görgün, 52 years old and father of 8 children, was living farming in the village.

The villagers and families stated that there was no conflict in the region, contrary to what was claimed by the Turkish authorities. It was suspected that Görgün and Kahraman were executed when they got together.

The HPG Press Center made a statement on 13 April and said: "Our comrade Xebatkar Bagok, who was on duty in the rural area of the village of Cinata in the Omeriya region of Mardin, on 8 April, and his relative, esteemed patriot Lokman Görgün, fell as martyrs as a result of the attack carried out by the Turkish army. The Turkish army extra judicially executed Lokman Görgün, a civilian, unarmed and innocent Kurdish patriot, and committed a war crime."

Görgün's family applied to the Human Rights Association (İHD) Mardin Branch to denounce the extra judicial execution.

In their application, the family stated that Görgün was attacked by unidentified people while riding a motorcycle. "Until now, neither our father's motorcycle has been shown to us, nor any evidence," the application said.

The family added: "Our father was not a member of any organization. He was a farmer, father of 8 children, who lived on his own, and was engaged in animal husbandry. We think that he was killed in an extra judicial execution by the Gendarmerie."

The IHD is expected to file the necessary criminal complaint to the Mardin Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.