Strong possibility that body found in Sur belongs to Hakan Arslan

The DNA samples taken by the remains found in Sur and Hakan Arslan’s father Ali Rıza Arslan matched 60 per cent. A DNA sample was also obtained from the mother, Melike Arslan, in order to provide a conclusive diagnosis.

The DNA sample of the remains discovered on 7 February 2021, by excavation workers in the Hasırlı District of Diyarbakır Sur Region, which was the scene of conflicts between 2015 and 2016, strengthened the chance that the body belonged to Hakan Arslan, who died there at the time.

The body, discovered during excavations between the Catholic Church and Hasırlı Masjid, was transferred to the Forensic Medicine Institute (ATK) morgue. Following that, Hakan Arslan's family in Erzurum, whose efforts to recover the remains of their son who died on 22 January 2016, during the 106-day resistance in the district of Sur and was buried next to the Hasırlı Masjid, said that the remains may be those of their son. They filed an application with the Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

DNA sample has a 60 percent match

A DNA sample taken in 2016 from Hakan Arslan’s father, Ali Rıza Arslan, who applied to the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office through his lawyers with a written petition, was analysed. The investigation revealed that the DNA samples had 60 per cent match.

Sample from mother taken

Last Monday, a DNA sample was taken from Arslan's mother, Melike Arslan, in accordance with the Chief Prosecutor's Office's instructions, in order to make a definitive identification. The investigation of the sample taken from the mother will reveal whether or not the body belongs to Hakan Arslan.