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==Death==
==Death==
[[File:Balıkçı family tomb.JPG|thumb|Balıkçı family tomb at the Şişli Armenian Cemetery]]
[[File:Balıkçı family tomb.JPG|thumb|Balıkçı family tomb at the Şişli Armenian Cemetery]]
Sevag Balıkçı was killed by a gunshot in [[Batman, Turkey|Batman]], southeastern [[Turkey]] where he was serving his last 23 days as a conscripted private. Official reports from military commanders in Batman given to the Balıkçı family argued that Sevag was killed unintentionally while "joking around" with his friend.<ref name=t24>{{cite news|title=Sevag Balıkçı'nın annesi: Tetiği çeken o ellerle yan yana oturuyorum...|url=http://t24.com.tr/haber/sevag-balikci/216604|accessdate=29 December 2012|newspaper=T24|date=03.11.2012|language=Turkish}}</ref> The family believed the initial reports and claimed that their son should not be considered a martyr since he died accidentally.<ref name="Turkish-Armenian soldier to be laid to rest Wednesday">{{cite news|title=Turkish-Armenian soldier to be laid to rest Wednesday|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/default.aspx?pageid=438&n=armenian-soldier-died-of-friend8217s-carelessness-on-april-24-2011-04-26|accessdate=29 December 2012|newspaper=Zaman}}</ref> Sevag's fiancée, however, called the report into question because, according to their conversations on the phone with Balıkçı, he was being harassed by ultra-nationalist soldier(s).{{fact}} The funeral was at the Feriköy Surp Vartanants Armenian church. Attendees of the funeral included Rakel Dink (wife of murdered [[Armenian people|Armenian]] journalist [[Hrant Dink]]), Government Minister [[Egemen Bağış]], [[Şişli]] Mayor [[Mustafa Sarıgül]], top military commanders, and other politicians like [[Adalar]] Mayor Mustafa Farsakoğlu. He was buried in the [[Şişli Armenian Cemetery]].
Sevag Balıkçı was killed by a gunshot in [[Batman, Turkey|Batman]], southeastern [[Turkey]] where he was serving his last 23 days as a conscripted private. Official reports from military commanders in Batman given to the Balıkçı family argued that Sevag was killed unintentionally while "joking around" with his friend.<ref name=t24>{{cite news|title=Sevag Balıkçı'nın annesi: Tetiği çeken o ellerle yan yana oturuyorum...|url=http://t24.com.tr/haber/sevag-balikci/216604|accessdate=29 December 2012|newspaper=T24|date=03.11.2012|language=Turkish}}</ref> The family believed the initial reports and claimed that their son should not be considered a martyr since he died accidentally.<ref name="Turkish-Armenian soldier to be laid to rest Wednesday">{{cite news|title=Turkish-Armenian soldier to be laid to rest Wednesday|url=http://www.hurriyetdailynews.com/default.aspx?pageid=438&n=armenian-soldier-died-of-friend8217s-carelessness-on-april-24-2011-04-26|accessdate=29 December 2012|newspaper=Zaman}}</ref> Sevag's fiancée, however, called the report into question because, according to their conversations on the phone with Balıkçı, he was being harassed by ultra-nationalist soldier(s).{{fact|date=March 2018}} The funeral was at the Feriköy Surp Vartanants Armenian church. Attendees of the funeral included Rakel Dink (wife of murdered [[Armenian people|Armenian]] journalist [[Hrant Dink]]), Government Minister [[Egemen Bağış]], [[Şişli]] Mayor [[Mustafa Sarıgül]], top military commanders, and other politicians like [[Adalar]] Mayor Mustafa Farsakoğlu. He was buried in the [[Şişli Armenian Cemetery]].


==Trial==
==Trial==
According to Balıkçı's lawyer Cem Halavurt, an investigation conducted on May 1, 2011 into the background (including his internet social networks, which were shut down after the incident) of the suspect, Kıvanç Ağaoglu, revealed that he was a Turkish nationalist.<ref name="Halavurt: Sevag 24 Nisan'da Planlı Şekilde Öldürülmüş Olabilir">{{cite news|title=Halavurt: "Sevag 24 Nisan'da Planlı Şekilde Öldürülmüş Olabilir"|url=http://www.bianet.org/bianet/bianet/129759-halavurt-sevag-24-nisanda-planli-sekilde-oldurulmus-olabilir|accessdate=29 December 2012|newspaper=Bianet|date=May 4, 2011|language=Turkish|quote=:Translated from Turkish: "On May 1, 2011, after investigating into the background of the suspect, we discovered that he was a sympathizer of the BBP. We also have encountured nationalist themes in his social networks. For example, Muhsin Yazicioglu and Abdullah Catli photos were present" according to Balikci lawyer Halavurt.}}</ref><ref name="Sevag Şahin'i vuran asker BBP'li miydi?">{{cite news|title=Sevag Şahin'i vuran asker BBP'li miydi?|url=http://www.firatnews.com/index.php?rupel=nuce&nuceID=42295|accessdate=29 December 2012|newspaper=Firatnews|date=May 4, 2011|quote=Translated from Turkish: Lawyer Halavurt said, "On his Facebook profile we discovered videos of [[Muhsin Yazicioglu]]. We also came upon nationalist and racist arguments, articles, video clips, and data|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831111538/http://www.firatnews.com/index.php?rupel=nuce&nuceID=42295|archivedate=31 August 2011|df=}}</ref><ref name="Sevag 24 Nisan için kurban olarak seçildi">{{cite news|title=‘Sevag 24 Nisan için kurban olarak seçildi’|url=https://www.agos.com.tr/haber.php?seo=sevag-24-nisan-icin-kurban-olarak-secildi&haberid=1281|accessdate=29 December 2012|newspaper=Agos|date=20 April 2012|language=Turkish|quote=Title translated from Turkish: Sevag Balikci was selected as another martyr of April 24. Quote from article: "We learned that Kivanc Agaoglu had nationalistic sympathies"}}</ref> Through his [[Facebook]] profile, it was discovered that he was a sympathizer of nationalist politician [[Muhsin Yazıcıoğlu]] and Turkish agent / contract killer [[Abdullah Çatlı]], who himself had a history of [[Anti-Armenianism|Anti-Armenian]] activity such as the [[Alfortville Armenian Genocide Memorial Bombing|Armenian Genocide Memorial bombing]] in a Paris suburb in 1984.<ref name="Halavurt: Sevag 24 Nisan'da Planlı Şekilde Öldürülmüş Olabilir" /><ref name="What Happened to Sevag Balikci?">{{cite news|title=Title translated from Turkish: What Happened to Sevag Balikci?|url=http://www.radikal.com.tr/Radikal.aspx?aType=RadikalYazar&Date=09.05.2011&ArticleID=1048713|accessdate=29 December 2012|newspaper=Radikal|language=Turkish|quote=Translated from Turkish: "We discovered that he was a sympathizer of the BBP. We also have encountered nationalist themes in his social networks. For example, Muhsin Yazicioglu and Abdullah Catli photos were present" according to Balikci lawyer Halavurt."}}</ref><ref name="Sevag’ın Ölümünde Şüpheler Artıyor">{{cite news|title=Sevag’ın Ölümünde Şüpheler Artıyor|url=http://www.norzartonk.org/2011/05/07/sevag%E2%80%99in-olumunde-supheler-artiyor/|accessdate=29 December 2012|newspaper=Nor Zartonk|language=Turkish|quote=Title translated from Turkish: Doubts emerge on the death of Sevag|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://archive.is/20130415113228/http://www.norzartonk.org/2011/05/07/sevag%E2%80%99in-olumunde-supheler-artiyor/|archivedate=15 April 2013|df=}}</ref> His [[Facebook]] profile also showed that he was a sympathizerof the [[Great Union Party]] (BBP), a far-right nationalist party in Turkey.<ref name="Halavurt: Sevag 24 Nisan'da Planlı Şekilde Öldürülmüş Olabilir" />
According to Balıkçı's lawyer Cem Halavurt, an investigation conducted on May 1, 2011 into the background (including his internet social networks, which were shut down after the incident) of the suspect, Kıvanç Ağaoglu, revealed that he was a Turkish nationalist.<ref name="Halavurt: Sevag 24 Nisan'da Planlı Şekilde Öldürülmüş Olabilir">{{cite news|title=Halavurt: "Sevag 24 Nisan'da Planlı Şekilde Öldürülmüş Olabilir"|url=http://www.bianet.org/bianet/bianet/129759-halavurt-sevag-24-nisanda-planli-sekilde-oldurulmus-olabilir|accessdate=29 December 2012|newspaper=Bianet|date=May 4, 2011|language=Turkish|quote=:Translated from Turkish: "On May 1, 2011, after investigating into the background of the suspect, we discovered that he was a sympathizer of the BBP. We also have encountured nationalist themes in his social networks. For example, Muhsin Yazicioglu and Abdullah Catli photos were present" according to Balikci lawyer Halavurt.}}</ref><ref name="Sevag Şahin'i vuran asker BBP'li miydi?">{{cite news|title=Sevag Şahin'i vuran asker BBP'li miydi?|url=http://www.firatnews.com/index.php?rupel=nuce&nuceID=42295|accessdate=29 December 2012|newspaper=Firatnews|date=May 4, 2011|quote=Translated from Turkish: Lawyer Halavurt said, "On his Facebook profile we discovered videos of [[Muhsin Yazicioglu]]. We also came upon nationalist and racist arguments, articles, video clips, and data|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110831111538/http://www.firatnews.com/index.php?rupel=nuce&nuceID=42295|archivedate=31 August 2011|df=}}</ref><ref name="Sevag 24 Nisan için kurban olarak seçildi">{{cite news|title=‘Sevag 24 Nisan için kurban olarak seçildi’|url=https://www.agos.com.tr/haber.php?seo=sevag-24-nisan-icin-kurban-olarak-secildi&haberid=1281|accessdate=29 December 2012|newspaper=Agos|date=20 April 2012|language=Turkish|quote=Title translated from Turkish: Sevag Balikci was selected as another martyr of April 24. Quote from article: "We learned that Kivanc Agaoglu had nationalistic sympathies"}}</ref> Through his [[Facebook]] profile, it was discovered that he was a sympathizer of nationalist politician [[Muhsin Yazıcıoğlu]] and Turkish agent / contract killer [[Abdullah Çatlı]], who himself had a history of [[Anti-Armenianism|Anti-Armenian]] activity such as the [[Alfortville Armenian Genocide Memorial Bombing|Armenian Genocide Memorial bombing]] in a Paris suburb in 1984.<ref name="Halavurt: Sevag 24 Nisan'da Planlı Şekilde Öldürülmüş Olabilir" /><ref name="What Happened to Sevag Balikci?">{{cite news|title=Title translated from Turkish: What Happened to Sevag Balikci?|url=http://www.radikal.com.tr/Radikal.aspx?aType=RadikalYazar&Date=09.05.2011&ArticleID=1048713|accessdate=29 December 2012|newspaper=Radikal|language=Turkish|quote=Translated from Turkish: "We discovered that he was a sympathizer of the BBP. We also have encountered nationalist themes in his social networks. For example, Muhsin Yazicioglu and Abdullah Catli photos were present" according to Balikci lawyer Halavurt."}}</ref><ref name="Sevag’ın Ölümünde Şüpheler Artıyor">{{cite news|title=Sevag’ın Ölümünde Şüpheler Artıyor|url=http://www.norzartonk.org/2011/05/07/sevag%E2%80%99in-olumunde-supheler-artiyor/|accessdate=29 December 2012|newspaper=Nor Zartonk|language=Turkish|quote=Title translated from Turkish: Doubts emerge on the death of Sevag|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://archive.is/20130415113228/http://www.norzartonk.org/2011/05/07/sevag%E2%80%99in-olumunde-supheler-artiyor/|archivedate=15 April 2013|df=}}</ref> His [[Facebook]] profile also showed that he was a sympathizerof the [[Great Union Party]] (BBP), a far-right nationalist party in Turkey.<ref name="Halavurt: Sevag 24 Nisan'da Planlı Şekilde Öldürülmüş Olabilir" />


The court proceedings took place at the 2nd Air Force Command Court Martial Court in [[Diyarbakır]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Sevagin Katili Serbest Birakilmis|url=http://www.demokrathaber.net/guncel/sevagin-katili-serbest-birakildi-h3092.html|accessdate=2 January 2013|newspaper=Bianet|quote=Quote from article: "The first hearing was held at the 2nd Airforce Commandment Court Martials in Diyarbakir}}</ref> The Balıkçı family was represented by lawyer Cem Halavurt while Kıvanç Ağaoglu is represented by lawyer İbrahim Gök. The Balıkçı family insisted that the shooting was not accidental but intentional and that the suspect should have been charged with murder.{{fact}} The Turkish Military Prosecutor’s Office demanded a nine-year sentence for Kıvanç Ağaoğlu on the charge of “murder as a result of negligence.”<ref name="Turkey’s court again does not sentence murderer of Armenian soldier killed in Turkish army">{{cite news|title=Turkey’s court again does not sentence murderer of Armenian soldier killed in Turkish army|url=http://news.am/eng/news/93216.html|accessdate=3 January 2013|newspaper=News.am|date=February 14, 2012}}</ref> Kıvanç Ağaoğlu continues to deny all charges of first-degree murder insisting that his gun went off accidentally.<ref name="Sevag Balıkçı killed because of commanders’ negligence?">{{cite news|title=Sevag Balıkçı killed because of commanders’ negligence?|url=http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/world/news/69090/|accessdate=3 January 2013|newspaper=PanARMENIAN.Net|date=May 4, 2011}}</ref> Upon suspicion of negligence among the commanders at the military station, non-commissioned officer Sadrettin Ersöz who is represented by lawyer Yalçın Torun was also charged with negligence in the alleged killing.<ref name="Sevag Balıkçı killed because of commanders’ negligence?" />
The court proceedings took place at the 2nd Air Force Command Court Martial Court in [[Diyarbakır]].<ref>{{cite news|title=Sevagin Katili Serbest Birakilmis|url=http://www.demokrathaber.net/guncel/sevagin-katili-serbest-birakildi-h3092.html|accessdate=2 January 2013|newspaper=Bianet|quote=Quote from article: "The first hearing was held at the 2nd Airforce Commandment Court Martials in Diyarbakir}}</ref> The Balıkçı family was represented by lawyer Cem Halavurt while Kıvanç Ağaoglu is represented by lawyer İbrahim Gök. The Balıkçı family insisted that the shooting was not accidental but intentional and that the suspect should have been charged with murder.{{fact|date=March 2018}} The Turkish Military Prosecutor’s Office demanded a nine-year sentence for Kıvanç Ağaoğlu on the charge of “murder as a result of negligence.”<ref name="Turkey’s court again does not sentence murderer of Armenian soldier killed in Turkish army">{{cite news|title=Turkey’s court again does not sentence murderer of Armenian soldier killed in Turkish army|url=http://news.am/eng/news/93216.html|accessdate=3 January 2013|newspaper=News.am|date=February 14, 2012}}</ref> Kıvanç Ağaoğlu continues to deny all charges of first-degree murder insisting that his gun went off accidentally.<ref name="Sevag Balıkçı killed because of commanders’ negligence?">{{cite news|title=Sevag Balıkçı killed because of commanders’ negligence?|url=http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/world/news/69090/|accessdate=3 January 2013|newspaper=PanARMENIAN.Net|date=May 4, 2011}}</ref> Upon suspicion of negligence among the commanders at the military station, non-commissioned officer Sadrettin Ersöz who is represented by lawyer Yalçın Torun was also charged with negligence in the alleged killing.<ref name="Sevag Balıkçı killed because of commanders’ negligence?" />


During the trial's first hearing on July 24, 2011, Kıvanç Ağaoğlu was set free.<ref name="Sevag'in Katili Serbest Birakildi">{{cite news|title=Sevag'in Katili Serbest Birakildi|url=http://www.demokrathaber.net/guncel/sevagin-katili-serbest-birakildi-h3092.html|accessdate=30 December 2012|newspaper=Demokrat Haber|date=July 11, 2011|language=Turkish|quote=Titled translated from Turkish: Sevag's killer is set free.}}</ref><ref name="Sevag’ı vuran asker serbest">{{cite news|last=Istemil|first=Huseyin|title=Sevag’ı vuran asker serbest|url=http://www.taraf.com.tr/haber/sevag-i-vuran-asker-serbest.htm|accessdate=30 December 2012|newspaper=Taraf|date=8 August 2011|language=Turkish|quote=Title translated from Turkish: The killer of Sevag is set free.}}</ref><ref name="‘Kazara’ öldürülen Sevag Şahin Balıkçı anıldı">{{cite news|title=‘Kazara’ öldürülen Sevag Şahin Balıkçı anıldı|url=http://www.ajanstabloid.com/haber.aspx?pid=111|accessdate=30 December 2012|newspaper=Ajans|language=Turkish}}</ref><ref name="Sevag'ı Öldürmekten Sanık Er Serbest">{{cite news|title=Sevag'ı Öldürmekten Sanık Er Serbest|url=http://www.bianet.org/bianet/bianet/131858-sevagi-oldurmekten-sanik-er-serbest|accessdate=30 December 2012|newspaper=Bianet|language=Turkish}}</ref> During the trial an eyewitness provided details regarding the shooting.<ref name="I Will Kill You, Fatty!">{{cite news|title=‘I Will Kill You, Fatty!’|url=http://www.armenianweekly.com/2011/08/25/i-will-kill-you-fatty/|accessdate=29 December 2012|newspaper=Armenian Weekly}}</ref> The eyewitness testified that Kıvanç Ağaoğlu threatened Sevag by saying, "''I will kill you fatty!''".<ref name="I Will Kill You, Fatty!" /><ref name="Seni vururum tombulum">{{cite news|title='Seni vururum tombulum'|url=http://www.sabah.com.tr/Gundem/2011/08/07/seni-vururum-tombulum|accessdate=29 December 2012|newspaper=Sabah|date=07.08.2011|language=Turkish|quote=Title Translated from Turkish: I will kill you fatty!}}</ref><ref name="Sadece hakikati öğrenmek istiyoruz">{{cite news|title='Sadece hakikati öğrenmek istiyoruz'|url=http://www.radikal.com.tr/Radikal.aspx?aType=RadikalDetayV3&ArticleID=1061256&CategoryID=79|accessdate=29 December 2012|newspaper=Radikal|language=Turkish|quote=Title Translated from Turkish: All we want to know is the truth.}}</ref>
During the trial's first hearing on July 24, 2011, Kıvanç Ağaoğlu was set free.<ref name="Sevag'in Katili Serbest Birakildi">{{cite news|title=Sevag'in Katili Serbest Birakildi|url=http://www.demokrathaber.net/guncel/sevagin-katili-serbest-birakildi-h3092.html|accessdate=30 December 2012|newspaper=Demokrat Haber|date=July 11, 2011|language=Turkish|quote=Titled translated from Turkish: Sevag's killer is set free.}}</ref><ref name="Sevag’ı vuran asker serbest">{{cite news|last=Istemil|first=Huseyin|title=Sevag’ı vuran asker serbest|url=http://www.taraf.com.tr/haber/sevag-i-vuran-asker-serbest.htm|accessdate=30 December 2012|newspaper=Taraf|date=8 August 2011|language=Turkish|quote=Title translated from Turkish: The killer of Sevag is set free.}}</ref><ref name="‘Kazara’ öldürülen Sevag Şahin Balıkçı anıldı">{{cite news|title=‘Kazara’ öldürülen Sevag Şahin Balıkçı anıldı|url=http://www.ajanstabloid.com/haber.aspx?pid=111|accessdate=30 December 2012|newspaper=Ajans|language=Turkish}}</ref><ref name="Sevag'ı Öldürmekten Sanık Er Serbest">{{cite news|title=Sevag'ı Öldürmekten Sanık Er Serbest|url=http://www.bianet.org/bianet/bianet/131858-sevagi-oldurmekten-sanik-er-serbest|accessdate=30 December 2012|newspaper=Bianet|language=Turkish}}</ref> During the trial an eyewitness provided details regarding the shooting.<ref name="I Will Kill You, Fatty!">{{cite news|title=‘I Will Kill You, Fatty!’|url=http://www.armenianweekly.com/2011/08/25/i-will-kill-you-fatty/|accessdate=29 December 2012|newspaper=Armenian Weekly}}</ref> The eyewitness testified that Kıvanç Ağaoğlu threatened Sevag by saying, "''I will kill you fatty!''".<ref name="I Will Kill You, Fatty!" /><ref name="Seni vururum tombulum">{{cite news|title='Seni vururum tombulum'|url=http://www.sabah.com.tr/Gundem/2011/08/07/seni-vururum-tombulum|accessdate=29 December 2012|newspaper=Sabah|date=07.08.2011|language=Turkish|quote=Title Translated from Turkish: I will kill you fatty!}}</ref><ref name="Sadece hakikati öğrenmek istiyoruz">{{cite news|title='Sadece hakikati öğrenmek istiyoruz'|url=http://www.radikal.com.tr/Radikal.aspx?aType=RadikalDetayV3&ArticleID=1061256&CategoryID=79|accessdate=29 December 2012|newspaper=Radikal|language=Turkish|quote=Title Translated from Turkish: All we want to know is the truth.}}</ref>
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During the trial's fifth hearing on December 27, 2011, testimony emerging from Halil Ekşi, a conscripted soldier who was serving in the same military unit as Sevag Balıkçı, stated that Balıkçı's death was not accidental as the official reports suggest, but intentional.<ref name="Doubts emerge in death of Armenian-Turk soldier" /> This was a reversal of Ekşi's original testimony which portrayed the killing as an accident.<ref name="Doubts emerge in death of Armenian-Turk soldier" /> He changed his position because his "conscience didn't allow" (vicdanım elvermiyor) him to continue with the original testimony.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sevag İçin Adalet Girişimi: Sevag Nefret Cinayetine Kurban Gitti|url=http://www.baskahaber.org/2012/02/sevag-icin-adalet-girisimi-sevag-nefret.html|accessdate=29 December 2012|newspaper=Baskahaber|language=Turkish|quote=27 Aralık 2011 tarihinde bir tanık, "Vicdanım elvermiyor" diyerek ifadesini değiştirdi.}}</ref> The testimony also suggested that Halil Ekşi was visited by Kıvanç Ağaoğlu's uncle Bülent Kaya who wrote the testimony with Ekşi himself, suggesting pressure was applied towards the eyewitnesses.<ref name="Doubts emerge in death of Armenian-Turk soldier" /><ref name="Turkey’s court again does not sentence murderer of Armenian soldier killed in Turkish army" /><ref name="Sevag'ın ölümündeki sisi dağıtan pişmanlık">{{cite news|title=Sevag'ın ölümündeki sisi dağıtan pişmanlık|url=http://www.sabah.com.tr/Gundem/2012/01/27/sevagin-olumundeki-sisi-dagitan-pismanlik|accessdate=29 December 2012|newspaper=Radikal|language=Turkish|quote=Translated from Turkish: The family of Kıvanç, especially his uncle, told me to speak in favor of the defendant Ağaoğlu.}}</ref> The Balıkçı family lawyer Cem Halavurt declared that a new lawsuit will be filed against the uncle and sister of Ağaoğlu for the obstruction of justice.<ref name="Doubts emerge in death of Armenian-Turk soldier" /><ref>{{cite news|title=Trial resumes as key witness in Armenian-Turkish soldier death changes testimony|url=http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/90564/|accessdate=3 January 2013|newspaper=PanArmenian.net|date=January 30, 2012|quote=“We are going to file a criminal complaint about Ağaoğlu’s sister and uncle and open a new lawsuit. Kıvanç runs the risk of getting arrested in this trial, and that is what we are going to request,” Halavurt said.}}</ref> The judge during the hearing also stated that it was a "matter of honor" for him to reach a fair verdict in the case.<ref name="Turkey’s court again does not sentence murderer of Armenian soldier killed in Turkish army" /> Testimony given by Sevag Balıkçı's fiancée on March 30, 2012 stated that he was subjected to psychological pressure at the military compound.<ref name="Fiancé of Armenian soldier killed in Turkish army testifies before court">{{cite news|title=Fiancé of Armenian soldier killed in Turkish army testifies before court|url=http://newsam.com/eng/news/100211.html|accessdate=29 December 2012|newspaper=News.am|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://archive.is/20130130022330/http://newsam.com/eng/news/100211.html|archivedate=30 January 2013|df=}}</ref> His fiance was told by Sevag through telephone conversations with him that he feared for his life because a certain military serviceman threatened him by saying, "If war were to happen with [[Armenia]], you would be the first person I would kill".<ref name="Fiancé of Armenian soldier killed in Turkish army testifies before court" /><ref name="Nişanlıdan 'Ermenilerle savaşırsak ilk seni öldürürüm' iddiası">{{cite news|title=Nişanlıdan 'Ermenilerle savaşırsak ilk seni öldürürüm' iddiası|url=http://www.sabah.com.tr/Yasam/2012/04/06/nisanlidan-ermenilerle-savasirsak-ilk-seni-oldururum-iddiasi|accessdate=29 December 2012|newspaper=Sabah|date=06.04.2012|language=Turkish|quote=Title Translated from Turkish: From the fiance: If we were to go to war with Armenia, I would kill you first"}}</ref> According to the testimony, Sevag was also under pressure to convert to [[Islam]].<ref name="Fiancé of Armenian soldier killed in Turkish army testifies before court" /><ref name="Nişanlıdan 'Ermenilerle savaşırsak ilk seni öldürürüm' iddiası" /><ref name="Askeriyeyi karıştıracak Ermeni iddiası">{{cite news|title=Askeriyeyi karıştıracak Ermeni iddiası|url=http://sicakgundem.com/askeriyeyi-karistiracak-ermeni-iddiasi-_84394.html|accessdate=3 January 2013|newspaper=Sicak Gundem|date= 4 June 2012|language=Turkish}}</ref>
During the trial's fifth hearing on December 27, 2011, testimony emerging from Halil Ekşi, a conscripted soldier who was serving in the same military unit as Sevag Balıkçı, stated that Balıkçı's death was not accidental as the official reports suggest, but intentional.<ref name="Doubts emerge in death of Armenian-Turk soldier" /> This was a reversal of Ekşi's original testimony which portrayed the killing as an accident.<ref name="Doubts emerge in death of Armenian-Turk soldier" /> He changed his position because his "conscience didn't allow" (vicdanım elvermiyor) him to continue with the original testimony.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sevag İçin Adalet Girişimi: Sevag Nefret Cinayetine Kurban Gitti|url=http://www.baskahaber.org/2012/02/sevag-icin-adalet-girisimi-sevag-nefret.html|accessdate=29 December 2012|newspaper=Baskahaber|language=Turkish|quote=27 Aralık 2011 tarihinde bir tanık, "Vicdanım elvermiyor" diyerek ifadesini değiştirdi.}}</ref> The testimony also suggested that Halil Ekşi was visited by Kıvanç Ağaoğlu's uncle Bülent Kaya who wrote the testimony with Ekşi himself, suggesting pressure was applied towards the eyewitnesses.<ref name="Doubts emerge in death of Armenian-Turk soldier" /><ref name="Turkey’s court again does not sentence murderer of Armenian soldier killed in Turkish army" /><ref name="Sevag'ın ölümündeki sisi dağıtan pişmanlık">{{cite news|title=Sevag'ın ölümündeki sisi dağıtan pişmanlık|url=http://www.sabah.com.tr/Gundem/2012/01/27/sevagin-olumundeki-sisi-dagitan-pismanlik|accessdate=29 December 2012|newspaper=Radikal|language=Turkish|quote=Translated from Turkish: The family of Kıvanç, especially his uncle, told me to speak in favor of the defendant Ağaoğlu.}}</ref> The Balıkçı family lawyer Cem Halavurt declared that a new lawsuit will be filed against the uncle and sister of Ağaoğlu for the obstruction of justice.<ref name="Doubts emerge in death of Armenian-Turk soldier" /><ref>{{cite news|title=Trial resumes as key witness in Armenian-Turkish soldier death changes testimony|url=http://www.panarmenian.net/eng/news/90564/|accessdate=3 January 2013|newspaper=PanArmenian.net|date=January 30, 2012|quote=“We are going to file a criminal complaint about Ağaoğlu’s sister and uncle and open a new lawsuit. Kıvanç runs the risk of getting arrested in this trial, and that is what we are going to request,” Halavurt said.}}</ref> The judge during the hearing also stated that it was a "matter of honor" for him to reach a fair verdict in the case.<ref name="Turkey’s court again does not sentence murderer of Armenian soldier killed in Turkish army" /> Testimony given by Sevag Balıkçı's fiancée on March 30, 2012 stated that he was subjected to psychological pressure at the military compound.<ref name="Fiancé of Armenian soldier killed in Turkish army testifies before court">{{cite news|title=Fiancé of Armenian soldier killed in Turkish army testifies before court|url=http://newsam.com/eng/news/100211.html|accessdate=29 December 2012|newspaper=News.am|deadurl=yes|archiveurl=https://archive.is/20130130022330/http://newsam.com/eng/news/100211.html|archivedate=30 January 2013|df=}}</ref> His fiance was told by Sevag through telephone conversations with him that he feared for his life because a certain military serviceman threatened him by saying, "If war were to happen with [[Armenia]], you would be the first person I would kill".<ref name="Fiancé of Armenian soldier killed in Turkish army testifies before court" /><ref name="Nişanlıdan 'Ermenilerle savaşırsak ilk seni öldürürüm' iddiası">{{cite news|title=Nişanlıdan 'Ermenilerle savaşırsak ilk seni öldürürüm' iddiası|url=http://www.sabah.com.tr/Yasam/2012/04/06/nisanlidan-ermenilerle-savasirsak-ilk-seni-oldururum-iddiasi|accessdate=29 December 2012|newspaper=Sabah|date=06.04.2012|language=Turkish|quote=Title Translated from Turkish: From the fiance: If we were to go to war with Armenia, I would kill you first"}}</ref> According to the testimony, Sevag was also under pressure to convert to [[Islam]].<ref name="Fiancé of Armenian soldier killed in Turkish army testifies before court" /><ref name="Nişanlıdan 'Ermenilerle savaşırsak ilk seni öldürürüm' iddiası" /><ref name="Askeriyeyi karıştıracak Ermeni iddiası">{{cite news|title=Askeriyeyi karıştıracak Ermeni iddiası|url=http://sicakgundem.com/askeriyeyi-karistiracak-ermeni-iddiasi-_84394.html|accessdate=3 January 2013|newspaper=Sicak Gundem|date= 4 June 2012|language=Turkish}}</ref>


During the trial's ninth hearing on November 5, 2012, defense lawyer İbrahim Gök requested a media ban on all further hearings. Prosecuting attorney Cem Halavurt rejected the proposal stating that "''If there is a press ban in this court, will Turkey stop talking about the Armenian issue? Or will people not talk about deaths in the army? This is why we demand that the press ban be overruled. Even if we don't like certain thoughts, we should treat them as part of free speech in a democratic society.''"{{fact}} İbrahim Gök claimed that the trial was becoming "politicized" and that the case has nothing to do with the events of 1915 (referring to the [[Armenian Genocide]]).{{fact}} The request for a press ban was rejected.
During the trial's ninth hearing on November 5, 2012, defense lawyer İbrahim Gök requested a media ban on all further hearings. Prosecuting attorney Cem Halavurt rejected the proposal stating that "''If there is a press ban in this court, will Turkey stop talking about the Armenian issue? Or will people not talk about deaths in the army? This is why we demand that the press ban be overruled. Even if we don't like certain thoughts, we should treat them as part of free speech in a democratic society.''"{{fact|date=March 2018}} İbrahim Gök claimed that the trial was becoming "politicized" and that the case has nothing to do with the events of 1915 (referring to the [[Armenian Genocide]]).{{fact|date=March 2018}} The request for a press ban was rejected.


On March 26, 2013 a court ruled that the incident was accidental and sentenced Kıvanç Ağaoğlu for four years and five months in prison. However, the decision was overturned by the Military Supreme Court on July 2014 on the basis that "legal documents did not include the court's name,"<ref name="bianet.org">{{cite web|title="Sevag Balıkçı Davası Usul Yönünden Bozuldu" ("The Sevag Balıkçı case overturned due to procedural eror")|url=http://www.bianet.org/bianet/militarizm/157335-sevag-balikci-davasi-usul-yonunden-bozuldu|website=Bianet|accessdate=13 November 2014}}</ref> and the trial was reinitiated in December 2014.<ref name="agos.com.tr">{{cite web|title="Sevag Balıkçı davası yeniden görülmeye başlandı" ("The retrial of the Sevag Balıkçı case has begun")|url=http://www.agos.com.tr/haber.php?seo=sevag-balikci-davasi-yeniden-gorulmeye-baslandi&haberid=8598|website=Agos|accessdate=13 November 2014}}</ref> In the meantime, one of the witnesses of the trial who first stated that Balıkçı was killed intentionally<ref name="bianet.org"/> and then changed his testimony to argue that Balıkçı was killed accidentally<ref name="bianet.org"/> was tried for lying under oath.<ref name="agos.com.tr"/> During this trial, Halil Ekşi, the witness in question, stated that he was forced to lie because he was under pressure, while his family testified that they were being threatened by Ağaoğlu's family.<ref name="agos.com.tr"/> Upon news of this occurrence, the next trial was set for February 27, 2015.<ref name="t24.com.tr">{{cite web|title="Er Sevag Balıkçı davası yeniden görülecek" ("The Sevag Balıkçı will be seen again")|url=http://t24.com.tr/haber/er-sevag-balikci-davasi-yeniden-gorulecek,283652|website=T24|accessdate=13 January 2015}}</ref>
On March 26, 2013 a court ruled that the incident was accidental and sentenced Kıvanç Ağaoğlu for four years and five months in prison. However, the decision was overturned by the Military Supreme Court on July 2014 on the basis that "legal documents did not include the court's name,"<ref name="bianet.org">{{cite web|title="Sevag Balıkçı Davası Usul Yönünden Bozuldu" ("The Sevag Balıkçı case overturned due to procedural eror")|url=http://www.bianet.org/bianet/militarizm/157335-sevag-balikci-davasi-usul-yonunden-bozuldu|website=Bianet|accessdate=13 November 2014}}</ref> and the trial was reinitiated in December 2014.<ref name="agos.com.tr">{{cite web|title="Sevag Balıkçı davası yeniden görülmeye başlandı" ("The retrial of the Sevag Balıkçı case has begun")|url=http://www.agos.com.tr/haber.php?seo=sevag-balikci-davasi-yeniden-gorulmeye-baslandi&haberid=8598|website=Agos|accessdate=13 November 2014}}</ref> In the meantime, one of the witnesses of the trial who first stated that Balıkçı was killed intentionally<ref name="bianet.org"/> and then changed his testimony to argue that Balıkçı was killed accidentally<ref name="bianet.org"/> was tried for lying under oath.<ref name="agos.com.tr"/> During this trial, Halil Ekşi, the witness in question, stated that he was forced to lie because he was under pressure, while his family testified that they were being threatened by Ağaoğlu's family.<ref name="agos.com.tr"/> Upon news of this occurrence, the next trial was set for February 27, 2015.<ref name="t24.com.tr">{{cite web|title="Er Sevag Balıkçı davası yeniden görülecek" ("The Sevag Balıkçı will be seen again")|url=http://t24.com.tr/haber/er-sevag-balikci-davasi-yeniden-gorulecek,283652|website=T24|accessdate=13 January 2015}}</ref>

Revision as of 13:50, 17 March 2018

Sevag Şahin Balıkçı
Born(1986-04-01)April 1, 1986
Istanbul, Turkey
DiedApril 24, 2011(2011-04-24) (aged 25)
Cause of deathBullet wound
Resting placeŞişli Armenian Cemetery
NationalityTurkish

Sevag Şahin Balıkçı (April 1, 1986 – April 24, 2011) was a Turkish soldier of Armenian descent who was shot to death[1] during compulsory military service. The incident occurred on April 24, 2011, the remembrance day of the Armenian Genocide.[2][3] The perpetrator Kıvanç Ağaoglu was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for involuntary manslaughter.[4] However, there have been several eye-witness accounts and testimonies that claim that the shooting was not accidental as the official reports suggest, but intentional. Other reports claim that the shooting was a hate crime towards Balıkçı's Armenian identity.

Death

Balıkçı family tomb at the Şişli Armenian Cemetery

Sevag Balıkçı was killed by a gunshot in Batman, southeastern Turkey where he was serving his last 23 days as a conscripted private. Official reports from military commanders in Batman given to the Balıkçı family argued that Sevag was killed unintentionally while "joking around" with his friend.[5] The family believed the initial reports and claimed that their son should not be considered a martyr since he died accidentally.[6] Sevag's fiancée, however, called the report into question because, according to their conversations on the phone with Balıkçı, he was being harassed by ultra-nationalist soldier(s).[citation needed] The funeral was at the Feriköy Surp Vartanants Armenian church. Attendees of the funeral included Rakel Dink (wife of murdered Armenian journalist Hrant Dink), Government Minister Egemen Bağış, Şişli Mayor Mustafa Sarıgül, top military commanders, and other politicians like Adalar Mayor Mustafa Farsakoğlu. He was buried in the Şişli Armenian Cemetery.

Trial

According to Balıkçı's lawyer Cem Halavurt, an investigation conducted on May 1, 2011 into the background (including his internet social networks, which were shut down after the incident) of the suspect, Kıvanç Ağaoglu, revealed that he was a Turkish nationalist.[7][8][9] Through his Facebook profile, it was discovered that he was a sympathizer of nationalist politician Muhsin Yazıcıoğlu and Turkish agent / contract killer Abdullah Çatlı, who himself had a history of Anti-Armenian activity such as the Armenian Genocide Memorial bombing in a Paris suburb in 1984.[7][10][11] His Facebook profile also showed that he was a sympathizerof the Great Union Party (BBP), a far-right nationalist party in Turkey.[7]

The court proceedings took place at the 2nd Air Force Command Court Martial Court in Diyarbakır.[12] The Balıkçı family was represented by lawyer Cem Halavurt while Kıvanç Ağaoglu is represented by lawyer İbrahim Gök. The Balıkçı family insisted that the shooting was not accidental but intentional and that the suspect should have been charged with murder.[citation needed] The Turkish Military Prosecutor’s Office demanded a nine-year sentence for Kıvanç Ağaoğlu on the charge of “murder as a result of negligence.”[13] Kıvanç Ağaoğlu continues to deny all charges of first-degree murder insisting that his gun went off accidentally.[14] Upon suspicion of negligence among the commanders at the military station, non-commissioned officer Sadrettin Ersöz who is represented by lawyer Yalçın Torun was also charged with negligence in the alleged killing.[14]

During the trial's first hearing on July 24, 2011, Kıvanç Ağaoğlu was set free.[15][16][17][18] During the trial an eyewitness provided details regarding the shooting.[19] The eyewitness testified that Kıvanç Ağaoğlu threatened Sevag by saying, "I will kill you fatty!".[19][20][21]

During the trial's fifth hearing on December 27, 2011, testimony emerging from Halil Ekşi, a conscripted soldier who was serving in the same military unit as Sevag Balıkçı, stated that Balıkçı's death was not accidental as the official reports suggest, but intentional.[3] This was a reversal of Ekşi's original testimony which portrayed the killing as an accident.[3] He changed his position because his "conscience didn't allow" (vicdanım elvermiyor) him to continue with the original testimony.[22] The testimony also suggested that Halil Ekşi was visited by Kıvanç Ağaoğlu's uncle Bülent Kaya who wrote the testimony with Ekşi himself, suggesting pressure was applied towards the eyewitnesses.[3][13][23] The Balıkçı family lawyer Cem Halavurt declared that a new lawsuit will be filed against the uncle and sister of Ağaoğlu for the obstruction of justice.[3][24] The judge during the hearing also stated that it was a "matter of honor" for him to reach a fair verdict in the case.[13] Testimony given by Sevag Balıkçı's fiancée on March 30, 2012 stated that he was subjected to psychological pressure at the military compound.[25] His fiance was told by Sevag through telephone conversations with him that he feared for his life because a certain military serviceman threatened him by saying, "If war were to happen with Armenia, you would be the first person I would kill".[25][26] According to the testimony, Sevag was also under pressure to convert to Islam.[25][26][27]

During the trial's ninth hearing on November 5, 2012, defense lawyer İbrahim Gök requested a media ban on all further hearings. Prosecuting attorney Cem Halavurt rejected the proposal stating that "If there is a press ban in this court, will Turkey stop talking about the Armenian issue? Or will people not talk about deaths in the army? This is why we demand that the press ban be overruled. Even if we don't like certain thoughts, we should treat them as part of free speech in a democratic society."[citation needed] İbrahim Gök claimed that the trial was becoming "politicized" and that the case has nothing to do with the events of 1915 (referring to the Armenian Genocide).[citation needed] The request for a press ban was rejected.

On March 26, 2013 a court ruled that the incident was accidental and sentenced Kıvanç Ağaoğlu for four years and five months in prison. However, the decision was overturned by the Military Supreme Court on July 2014 on the basis that "legal documents did not include the court's name,"[28] and the trial was reinitiated in December 2014.[29] In the meantime, one of the witnesses of the trial who first stated that Balıkçı was killed intentionally[28] and then changed his testimony to argue that Balıkçı was killed accidentally[28] was tried for lying under oath.[29] During this trial, Halil Ekşi, the witness in question, stated that he was forced to lie because he was under pressure, while his family testified that they were being threatened by Ağaoğlu's family.[29] Upon news of this occurrence, the next trial was set for February 27, 2015.[30]

In March 2015, Kıvanç Ağaoğlu was sentenced to four and a half years in prison for involuntary manslaughter.[4]

Criminology report

In May 2015, a criminology report was conduct on Balıkçı and it was discovered that 41 bullet holes were found in his military uniform. It was initially stated by the military commandment at the time of the murder that there were two bullet holes.[31]

Justice initiative

A justice initiative was launched in Turkey devoted to the case of Sevag Balıkçı.[32][33] Members of the panel include the mother of Sevag, Ani Balıkçı, Arat Dink, Kerem Kabadayı, Ufuk Uras, Rakel Dink, and others.[32] The initiative protested the court's decision in letting suspect Kıvanç Ağaoğlu free and proclaimed that Sevag was murdered due to a hate crime.[33] Kerem Kabadayı remarked that "If this hate crime goes unpunished, the Armenian youth in Turkey will be under threat."[33]

See also

References

  1. ^ ""Er Sevag Balıkçı doğrudan vurulmuş!" ("Private Sevag Balıkçı was shot directly")". Agos. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  2. ^ "Ethnic Armenian Soldier Shot on 'Genocide Day', Radikal Reports". Bloomberg. Original from Radikal. Apr 25, 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
  3. ^ a b c d e "Doubts emerge in death of Armenian-Turk soldier". Hurriyet. 2012-01-30. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
  4. ^ a b http://www.haberler.com/er-sevag-davasinda-karar-cikti-4466294-haberi/
  5. ^ "Sevag Balıkçı'nın annesi: Tetiği çeken o ellerle yan yana oturuyorum..." T24 (in Turkish). 03.11.2012. Retrieved 29 December 2012. {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  6. ^ "Turkish-Armenian soldier to be laid to rest Wednesday". Zaman. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
  7. ^ a b c "Halavurt: "Sevag 24 Nisan'da Planlı Şekilde Öldürülmüş Olabilir"". Bianet (in Turkish). May 4, 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2012. :Translated from Turkish: "On May 1, 2011, after investigating into the background of the suspect, we discovered that he was a sympathizer of the BBP. We also have encountured nationalist themes in his social networks. For example, Muhsin Yazicioglu and Abdullah Catli photos were present" according to Balikci lawyer Halavurt.
  8. ^ "Sevag Şahin'i vuran asker BBP'li miydi?". Firatnews. May 4, 2011. Archived from the original on 31 August 2011. Retrieved 29 December 2012. Translated from Turkish: Lawyer Halavurt said, "On his Facebook profile we discovered videos of Muhsin Yazicioglu. We also came upon nationalist and racist arguments, articles, video clips, and data {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  9. ^ "'Sevag 24 Nisan için kurban olarak seçildi'". Agos (in Turkish). 20 April 2012. Retrieved 29 December 2012. Title translated from Turkish: Sevag Balikci was selected as another martyr of April 24. Quote from article: "We learned that Kivanc Agaoglu had nationalistic sympathies"
  10. ^ "Title translated from Turkish: What Happened to Sevag Balikci?". Radikal (in Turkish). Retrieved 29 December 2012. Translated from Turkish: "We discovered that he was a sympathizer of the BBP. We also have encountered nationalist themes in his social networks. For example, Muhsin Yazicioglu and Abdullah Catli photos were present" according to Balikci lawyer Halavurt."
  11. ^ "Sevag'ın Ölümünde Şüpheler Artıyor". Nor Zartonk (in Turkish). Archived from the original on 15 April 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2012. Title translated from Turkish: Doubts emerge on the death of Sevag {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  12. ^ "Sevagin Katili Serbest Birakilmis". Bianet. Retrieved 2 January 2013. Quote from article: "The first hearing was held at the 2nd Airforce Commandment Court Martials in Diyarbakir
  13. ^ a b c "Turkey's court again does not sentence murderer of Armenian soldier killed in Turkish army". News.am. February 14, 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  14. ^ a b "Sevag Balıkçı killed because of commanders' negligence?". PanARMENIAN.Net. May 4, 2011. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  15. ^ "Sevag'in Katili Serbest Birakildi". Demokrat Haber (in Turkish). July 11, 2011. Retrieved 30 December 2012. Titled translated from Turkish: Sevag's killer is set free.
  16. ^ Istemil, Huseyin (8 August 2011). "Sevag'ı vuran asker serbest". Taraf (in Turkish). Retrieved 30 December 2012. Title translated from Turkish: The killer of Sevag is set free.
  17. ^ "'Kazara' öldürülen Sevag Şahin Balıkçı anıldı". Ajans (in Turkish). Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  18. ^ "Sevag'ı Öldürmekten Sanık Er Serbest". Bianet (in Turkish). Retrieved 30 December 2012.
  19. ^ a b "'I Will Kill You, Fatty!'". Armenian Weekly. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
  20. ^ "'Seni vururum tombulum'". Sabah (in Turkish). 07.08.2011. Retrieved 29 December 2012. Title Translated from Turkish: I will kill you fatty! {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  21. ^ "'Sadece hakikati öğrenmek istiyoruz'". Radikal (in Turkish). Retrieved 29 December 2012. Title Translated from Turkish: All we want to know is the truth.
  22. ^ "Sevag İçin Adalet Girişimi: Sevag Nefret Cinayetine Kurban Gitti". Baskahaber (in Turkish). Retrieved 29 December 2012. 27 Aralık 2011 tarihinde bir tanık, "Vicdanım elvermiyor" diyerek ifadesini değiştirdi.
  23. ^ "Sevag'ın ölümündeki sisi dağıtan pişmanlık". Radikal (in Turkish). Retrieved 29 December 2012. Translated from Turkish: The family of Kıvanç, especially his uncle, told me to speak in favor of the defendant Ağaoğlu.
  24. ^ "Trial resumes as key witness in Armenian-Turkish soldier death changes testimony". PanArmenian.net. January 30, 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2013. "We are going to file a criminal complaint about Ağaoğlu's sister and uncle and open a new lawsuit. Kıvanç runs the risk of getting arrested in this trial, and that is what we are going to request," Halavurt said.
  25. ^ a b c "Fiancé of Armenian soldier killed in Turkish army testifies before court". News.am. Archived from the original on 30 January 2013. Retrieved 29 December 2012. {{cite news}}: Unknown parameter |deadurl= ignored (|url-status= suggested) (help)
  26. ^ a b "Nişanlıdan 'Ermenilerle savaşırsak ilk seni öldürürüm' iddiası". Sabah (in Turkish). 06.04.2012. Retrieved 29 December 2012. Title Translated from Turkish: From the fiance: If we were to go to war with Armenia, I would kill you first" {{cite news}}: Check date values in: |date= (help)
  27. ^ "Askeriyeyi karıştıracak Ermeni iddiası". Sicak Gundem (in Turkish). 4 June 2012. Retrieved 3 January 2013.
  28. ^ a b c ""Sevag Balıkçı Davası Usul Yönünden Bozuldu" ("The Sevag Balıkçı case overturned due to procedural eror")". Bianet. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  29. ^ a b c ""Sevag Balıkçı davası yeniden görülmeye başlandı" ("The retrial of the Sevag Balıkçı case has begun")". Agos. Retrieved 13 November 2014.
  30. ^ ""Er Sevag Balıkçı davası yeniden görülecek" ("The Sevag Balıkçı will be seen again")". T24. Retrieved 13 January 2015.
  31. ^ "Er Sevag Balıkçı'nın kıyafetlerinden 41 delik çıktı" (in Turkish). T24. 30 May 2015.
  32. ^ a b "Initiative launched in Turkey for Armenian soldier killed in Turkish army". Hayernaysor. Retrieved 29 December 2012.
  33. ^ a b c "Sevag İçin Adalet Girişimi: Sevag Nefret Cinayetine Kurban Gitti". SonDakika (in Turkish). Retrieved 29 December 2012. Title translated from Turkish: Sevag Balikci died from a hate crime.