Saturday Mothers Call for Justice for Nadir Nayci at Their 1,116th Week Vigil

The Saturday Mothers called for justice for Nadir Nayci, who disappeared in custody in Cizre in 1993, during their 1,116th week protest. At the demonstration, supported by the Istanbul Branch of the Human Rights Association (IHD) and the Commission Against Enforced Disappearances, the press statement was read by İkbal Eren of Saturday People.

Nadir Nayci, 65 years old and the father of seven, made his living as a horse-cart driver in Cizre. In 1993, he left home to take one of his horses to relatives in the village of Aşağıçeşme but never returned. When the horse came back alone the following morning, the family raised the alarm; it became clear that Nayci had never reached the village. The family suspects he may have been detained at Kuştepe, a settlement on his route.

Nayci's son Ramazan Nayci stated that he personally informed the district Gendarmerie Commander of the time, Captain Cemal Temizöz, of his father's disappearance. Temizöz's name had previously appeared in extrajudicial killing cases in Cizre; a criminal case brought against him dragged on for many years.

The Saturday Mothers held their first sit-in protest at Galatasaray Square in 1995. Having now marked 1,116 consecutive weeks, the group continues to demand that perpetrators be brought to trial.