Prosecutors demand up to 7,5 years of jail sentence for top Turkish forensic doctor

Prosecutors in the Turkish capital of Ankara demanded on Friday up to 7.5 years of prison sentence for Sebnem Korur Fincanci, the head of Turkish Medical Association (TTB) on charges of “disseminating propaganda in favour of a terrorist organisation.” Fincanci was jailed after her remarks regarding allegations of the use of chemical agents by the Turkish army against the Kurdish militants in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq.

Fincanci shared with Media Haber during a live broadcast her examinations on the basis of the reports allegedly showing the chemical warfare posted in social media and urged independent missions to investigate the incident within the scope of international treaties.

Fincanci later said that her remarks were misunderstood: "They are making news as if I had said that chemicals were used. I did not say such a thing. I said that there may be a chemical effect. This should be investigated because of those involuntary movements affecting the nervous system”

Turkish President Tayyip Erdogan targeted the doctor and said "necessary steps will be taken” soon after her remarks.

Devlet Bahceli, the leader of Turkey’s far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) went further and called on authorities to strip off Fincanci’s Turkish citizenship.

“The heaviest penal actions should be taken against the head of the TTB president and the association’s administrators. TTB should be dissolved. Those who throw mud at Turkish soldiers speaking through the mouth of traitors and oppressors should be deprived of their Turkish citizenship and sentenced to statelessness,” Bahceli said.