Politics · Turkey · 3 hrs ago
Turkish groups seek review of writer Sabahattin Ali’s 1948 killing
Five Turkish press and writers groups asked the Justice Ministry to reopen the review of Sabahattin Ali’s killing.
Ali was a novelist and journalist killed in 1948 while trying to leave Turkey for Bulgaria.
A man who said he guided Ali across the border confessed to killing him, but his account has long been disputed, and Ali’s grave has never been found.
The groups want officials to examine the original investigation and trial records, including the confession and the amnesty that led to the man’s release.
They also want searches of state archives and, if possible, identification and forensic testing of Ali’s remains with his relatives’ consent.
The groups say unanswered questions include whether Ali was detained and died after mistreatment or torture.
Their request comes as the Justice Ministry says it is reviewing unsolved murder files, and they want Ali’s case included.
They argue that the passage of time should not block searches for records or his remains.
Five Turkish press, publishing and writers organizations have asked the Justice Ministry to review the 1948 killing of novelist Sabahattin Ali and locate his remains.
The organizations say unanswered questions remain about his death, the identification of his body and the whereabouts of his remains.
They want investigators to review original case and trial records, search state archives and, if possible, conduct DNA testing and forensic examination.
Ali was killed while attempting to leave Turkey for Bulgaria, and the man who confessed to killing him was later released under an amnesty.
The organizations argue that the passage of time should not prevent efforts to establish what happened and identify Ali’s burial place.
- Who
- The Turkish Journalists Association, Turkish Publishers Association, Journalists Union of Turkey, Turkish Writers Union and PEN Turkey.
- What
- They asked the Justice Ministry to review files on Sabahattin Ali’s killing and locate his remains.
- When
- Monday; the article was published on October 13, 2026.
- Where
- Turkey, where Ali was killed while attempting to cross into Bulgaria.
- Why
- The organizations say questions about his death, the identification of his body and the location of his remains have gone unanswered.
This story does not have two clearly opposing sides.
Sabahattin Ali was born.
According to Ali Ertekin’s account, he killed Ali near the border.
A body believed to be Ali’s was found near Kırklareli, but its identification remains disputed.
The government established a Justice Ministry department to pursue unsolved crimes.
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek said the ministry would continue pursuing unsolved cases regardless of how many years had passed.
Five organizations submitted a joint request for a review of Ali’s case.
- Organizations
- Five Turkish press, publishing and writers groups
- Age at death
- 41
- Attempted crossing
- Turkey to Bulgaria
- Confessed killer
- Ali Ertekin
- Body found
- Near Kırklareli on June 16, 1948
- Justice Ministry review
- 638 investigation files across 75 provinces under review
Sources
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