“GLOBAL PURGE” [1]
The Origins of the Problem
Turkey’s struggle to draw the country more in line with the pillars of the European Union faced a long and accelerating slide. The country’s Freedom in the World score has been in free fall since 2014 due to an escalating series of assaults on the press, social media users, protesters, political parties, the judiciary, and the electoral system, as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan fought to impose personalized control over the state and society in a deteriorating domestic and regional security environment.
Veysel Akçay, the General Director of the schools affiliated with the Gülen movement in Mongolia who has lived in Mongolia for over 24 years, was abducted by Turkey’s notorious National Intelligence Organisation (MIT) Friday morning (7/27/18) in front of his house in the capital city Ulan Bator.
It was reported that a private jet plane is waiting at the Ulan Bator Airport to transfer Akçay to Turkey. Akçay, who has worked at the educational institutions in Mongolia for 24 years, is reportedly one of a few Turkish nationals possessing the Mongolian Friendship Medal bestowed by Mongolian State.
New York-based Journalists and Writers Foundation (JWF) said that on Friday, at 9:00 am (local time in Mongolia) Veysel Akçay left his home to his workplace at the Empathy Worldwide Educational Institution. According to eyewitnesses (and CCTV recordings), he was stopped by a minibus in front of his house and abducted by people working on behalf of Turkey’s National Intelligence Organization (MİT).
As it is known Turkish government has been taking strict measures to silence dissidents from various ideologies. Gulen/Hizmet Movement has been the main target of the government, which is a faith-based group of people engaging in different voluntary activities such as education, business and health. Alleged supporters of the Movement in Turkey have been dealing with arrest, imprisonment, torture, inhuman and degrading treatment, confiscation and passport seizure. There are many examples of abductions and physical violence incidents in several countries like Sudan, Kazakhstan, Pakistan, Georgia, Myanmar, Kosovo and Malaysia.
According to a statement made by Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu, over 100 alleged members of the Gülen movement have been abducted by MİT agents abroad and brought back to Turkey as part of the Turkish government’s global manhunt.
Around 12 AM Eastern Time (5-6 hours after abduction), Meryem Akcay announced that her husband Veysel Akcay has returned home safely. Resistance from citizens and politicians has prevented the illegal transfer to Turkey. We thank the Mongolian government and officials for resisting the illegal transfer of Veysel Akcay, showing careful attention to the situation and standing firmly for the rule of law. We urge the Mongolian government to investigate Veysel Akcay’s case, open a legal case against MIT officials and other people who engaged in this illegal act, and ensure the safety of Gulen sympathizers in Mongolia.
Download sample statement as a word document:
https://silencedturkey.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/AST_Letter-Veysel-Akcay-3.docx
We urge everyone to take action. Express your views or send attached statement to following addresses:
1) President of Mongolia, Battulga Khaltmaa
Website: https://president.mn/en/
Email Address: https://president.mn/en/contact-us/
Phone: +976 99116118
Fax: +976 51261273
Twitter handle: @BattulgaKh
2) Prime Minister of Mongolia, Ukhnaagiin Khürelsükh
Wesbite: http://zasag.mn/en/
Phone: +976 99113937
Twitter handle: @UKhurelsukh
3) Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mongolia
Website: http://consul.mn/eng/contact.php
Email Address: [email protected]
Phone: +976-51-262282
Fax: +976-11-322127
Twitter handle: @MFA_Mongolia
4) Permanent Mission of Mongolia to the United Nations
Website: https://www.un.int/mongolia/
Email Address: [email protected]
Phone: +1 (212) 861-9460, +1 (212) 472-6517
Fax: +1 (212) 861-9464
Twitter handle: @nymongolia
5) Embassy of Mongolia to the United States
Website: http://mongolianembassy.us/contact-us/#.W1sqYNhKg_U
Email Address: [email protected]
Phone: +1 202-333-7117
Fax: +1 202-298-9227
Twitter handle: @MGLEmbassy_USA
6) The delegation of the European Union to Mongolia
Head of the Delegation: Mr. Traian Laurentiu Hristea
Email Address: [email protected]
News articles on the abduction of Veysel Akcay:
http://mongolcom.mn/read/52090
Social media posts on the abduction of Veysel Akcay:
https://www.facebook.com/story.php?story_fbid=2023664780986591&id=100000292673421
Мөв мөрөөрөө 20 жил Мглд хичээл заасан багшийг минь Туркээс тусгай онгоц ирээд өнөө өглөө гэрийнх нь гаднаас хулгайлчихлаа. Тусгай онгоц нь одоо Нисэх др бгаа. Туркт аваачаад шоронд хийнэ,олон жилээр сураггүй алга бно. Өөр улсуудад ч бас ингэж бгаа.Диктатур төр ийм бдаг даа.
— Bulgan Bay (@bulganbay) July 27, 2018
URGENT: Veysel Akcay, a Turkish teacher living in Mongolia for over 24 years, is abducted by some "unknown" men this morning infront of his house in Ulaan Baatar,Mongolia. He has been brought to airport and private airplane is waiting at the airport for deportation. @hrw @amnesty
— Human Rights Turkey (@HumanRightsTR) July 27, 2018
Турк Монголын хамтарсан сургуулийн гадаад захирлыг хулгайлжээ https://t.co/Fqhz6AW6dQ via @wwwolloomn
— OllooMN (@wwwolloomn) July 27, 2018
Нэмэлт мэдээлэл! Б.Ганбат: Вейсел Акчай захирлыг Туркийн тагнуулынхан хулгайлсан гэж таамаглаж байна https://t.co/atNmYytnef
— Newspress.mn (@Newspressmn) July 27, 2018
Veysel Akcay, a Turkish teacher livin in Mongolia for over 24 years, is abducted by some "unknown" men this morning in Ulaan Baatar.
Whereabouts is unknown.
Please help!@RebHarms@UNHumanRights pic.twitter.com/YHVvK6xcyd— Abdullah Sinan Çiftler (@ciftler76) July 27, 2018
The fact that Turkish teacher has been abducted and transported to Chinggis Khaan airport for deportation via a private plane by Turkish Airlines is outrageous. It offends citizens of Mongolia. We are a democratic country. And we respect human rights. pic.twitter.com/nh10fG5o9G
— Mukhit B. (@mukhit) July 27, 2018
Videos on the abduction of Veysel Akcay:
AST Spokesperson Hafsa Yildiz on the abduction of Veysel Akcay
Veysel Akcay’s wife explain the abduction
Locals explain the abduction of Veysel Akcay-1
Locals explain the abduction of Veysel Akcay-2
Locals explain the abduction of Veysel Akcay-3
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