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| Europe |
| Belgian alarm over death of Kurdish activist's parents |
| 2006-03-06 |
| BRUSSELS — Flemish Foreign Minister Geert Bourgeois has demanded answers from the Turkish ambassador to Belgium about the murder of the parents of Derwich Ferho, the chairman of the Kurdish Institute in Brussels. "I want an explanation over the circumstances of what happened. If it proves to be a form of state terror, than that is very, very important," the New Flemish Alliance NV-A minister told VRT radio on Monday morning. "Turkey wishes to become a member of the European Union. If it appears that violations of human rights occur there in such a flagrant manner, then that is of enormous importance concerning [Turkey's] accession." Flemish political parties N-VA and green Groen! requested an explanation from Turkey on Sunday about the murder of Ferho's parents. Both parties are demanding a "serious investigation". The 85-year-old Ferho and 81-year-old Fatim Akgül were killed on Thursday night in the village of Mizizah, in Turkish Kurdistan. The Kurdish Institute in Brussels claims the couple was killed by "death squads" and local security services in retaliation for the "anti-Turkish activities" of their two sons, who fled to Belgium years ago as political refugees. Institute chairman Derwich Ferho said his father was killed in his bed, while his mother had her throat cut and suffered multiple stab wounds. He said the elderly couple had been threatened in recent months. Ferho accused contra guerrillas attached to the Turkish Interior Ministry of carrying out the killings. The guerrillas are also allegedly linked with the Turkish secret service MIT. However, Ferho also said that Kurdish village guards — who co-operate with the Turkish in exchange for weapons and money — might also have been involved in the attacks. |
| Posted by:Steve |