Parents of Armenian soldier killed in Turkish army insist their son was killed because of his nationality

ISTANBUL. – Prior to the next court hearing, the parents of Sevak Balikci, the Istanbul-Armenian who was killed, on April 24, 2011, in a military unit while serving in the Turkish army, again insist that their son was killed because of his national belonging.

In an interview with the Milliyet daily of Turkey, Sevak’s parents noted that 7.5 months have passed since their son’s murder, but they still have not received the answers to many questions. And the release of their son’s killer has further deepened their grief.

Sevak’s parents are convinced their son was killed for being Armenian, and they demand justice. The mother, Ani Balikci, recalls that they (Turkish state) were attempting to say that their son and Kivanc Agaoglu, the fellow soldier who killed Sevak, were close friends, but she had never heard her son speaking about Kivanc.

To note, Sevak Balikci was killed by Kivanc Agaoglu on April 24, and, in connection with the killing, the Turkish gendarmerie had stated that the death had occurred accidentally while the soldiers were joking around. Kivanc Agaoglu was released at the very first court hearing, and on the grounds that he has no reason to escape.

The Turkish Military Prosecutor’s Office demands a mere nine-year sentence for Agaoglu, and on charges of “murder as a result of negligence.”

The next court hearing will be held on Friday.

via Parents of Armenian soldier killed in Turkish army insist their son was killed because of his nationality | Armenia News – NEWS.am.