The investigation of the mass grave discovered next to the Mutki Gendarmerie Commandership building has apparently being applied "confidential" status.

Following the statement of Gendarmerie General Command concerning the mass grave, Mutki Public Prosecutor Çetin Küçet applied to Mutki Criminal Court of Peace for "confidential" decision to be applied to the file.

Accepting the request by the Public Prosecutor, The Criminal Court of Peace declared the file "confidential".

The Gendarmerie General Command stated that the investigation file and the files of Mutki Municipality contain all the photographs of people in the mass grave, death certificates and autopsy results and therefore needed to be confidential. Human Rights Association (ÝHD) Muþ Branch Chair Lawyer Þengöl applied to Mutki Public Prosecution Office to get the files made public.

While Þengöl's application was not accepted due to the “confidentiality” decision taken, it was stated that the secrecy decision covers all investigations of mass graves discovered within the boundaries of Mutki.

On the other hand, it was reported that an investigation has been opened about the excavation carried out by eight soldiers in Mutki Gendarmerie Commandership. The soldiers apparently were forced to excavate the grave without the permission of Prosecution. Collection of evidences continues.

Translation: Berna Ozgencil