Arrested Turkish colonel in February 28 case dies in hospital

Colonel Mehmet Haşimoğlu, the first soldier on duty to die during the February 28 trial, passed away at GATA military hospital on Aug. 14. Haşimoğlu’s wife, Makbule Haşimoğlu, held the “psychological war” against soldiers responsible for the death of her husband. “His only crime was to be a soldier,” she said yesterday at her husband’s funeral. The court had issued a decision to release Haşimoğlu due to his poor health, Hurriyet reports.

Haşimoğlu was on duty when he was arrested in the “third wave” operation of the February 28 investigation conducted by the Specially Authorized Ankara Public Prosecutor’s Office.

By a Supreme Military Council (YAŞ) decision, he had not been promoted to general. His military career ended due to quota restrictions, but he was still in the military according to his legal papers. He was set to be legally retired by the end of August, but lost his life first.

Haşimoğlu spent his last moments at GATA military hospital. GATA had requested his release due to his poor health, and the decision was taken on Aug. 10, but by then he was in the intensive care unit and did not learn of the decision.