Conscientious objector Mehmet Tarhan was sentenced on August 10 to four years' jail, two years each for the charges of "Insubordination before command" and "Insubordination before command for trying to escape from military service". Turkish law requires all men to complete 18 months' military service after they turn 18. Tarhan declared his conscientious objection in 2001 and was arrested on April 8. Since then he has been detained in the Sivas military prison, where he has faced death threats, abuse and blackmail attempts by other prisoners. For more information visit <http://www.refusingtokill.net/Turkey/ReleaseMehmet.htm>.
From Green Left Weekly, August 17, 2005.
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