Turk Leaders Executions (16th January 1980 )

Baas regime’s pressures on Turks increased in 1979. Some important people, Turk’s leaders in Iraq, were arrested in 1979. They were exposed to torture. Among them, Retired Colonel Abdullah Abdurrahman, who had been Turkmen Brotherhood Club’s Leader for long years, and Associate Professor Necdet Koçak, who was Baghdad University’s instructor, were at the first rank. Furthermore Abdullah Abdurrahman’s close friend Dr. Rıza Demirci and Contractor Adil Şerif were also arrested and exposed to torture. This arrests created great sorrow and reaction on Turks. Retired colonel A.Abdurrahman was a precious officer who served to Iraq Army. Having left his work in army, he presided Turkmen Brotherhood Club founded in Baghdad for long years. Due to his utilities, he gained Turks’ love in Iraq. Also Associate Professor Necdet Koçak was a precious expert and scientist coming from Agricultural Machine field. He founded Agricultural Machines Department in Baghdad. He had many students. Moreover he had a character appreciated among Turkish society thanks to his human love and tolerance. Even though Baas Government tried to show Turks appreciated leaders as guilty by torturing, it could get any result. Especially diabetic patient A.Abdurrahman was not given his medicines. So he became blind and was confined to live in dark life. At last, Baas Government executed A. Abdurrahman, Necdet Koçak and Adil Şerif on 16th January 1980 to frighten Turkish society. Rıza Demirci died under torture. That’s why, no official explanation was made about him. Turkish society’s favourite and precious leader’s unfair execution led to an enormous hatred and reaction among Iraq Turks. Their only desire was to live in freedom in country. These leader’s, defensive rights of Turks, executions made Turks offend against Government.