Farewell letter of sergeant who died by suicide revealed! 'I am tired of my superiors' threats, I apologize'

Serving at the Güneyçam Village Gendarmerie Station in Şırnak, Specialist Sergeant Ökkeş Gök, has ended his life.

Sözcü columnist İsmail Saymaz, in his article titled "The bullying that drove the specialist sergeant to suicide," shared the farewell letter of Gök, who was laid to rest in Gaziantep, with his readers.

Stating that the 25-year-old Gök had only been a soldier for four years, Saymaz used the following expressions in his article;

"(...) On the morning of December 14 at 05:14, while Gök was on guard duty at the tower with Specialist Sergeant S.A., he allegedly fell asleep. Duty non-commissioned officers A.A. and S.K. recorded a video and filed a report. Gök, against whom a disciplinary investigation was launched, gave his statement on December 15.

'I DID NOT SLEEP, I DENY THE ACCUSATION'

In his statement, he said he did not sleep. He explained that although the night shift should not exceed three hours, he had been on duty in the watchtower for nine hours: 'Because of this, my senses must have been dulled, as I did not notice the light they shone on the tower. When they forced the door, I asked 'Who is it?' and came down from the upper floor to open the door. I did not sleep, I deny the accusation. During those hours, the tower is my private living space. I am filing a complaint against A.K. and S.K., who filmed me without my knowledge.' (...)"

Gök claimed in his statement that after his shift, A.K. came to his room at 9:00 AM, cursed at him, and threatened him, saying, "I will f*** you up, I will break your head and eyes." One day later (December 16), he ended his life in the dormitory while his friend was present.

İsmail Saymaz, in the continuation of his article, stated that a farewell letter was found next to Gök.

According to the letter, the specialist sergeant wrote the following lines:

"I have been working in Şırnak since 2020. Since the day I arrived, I have been constantly subjected to pressure and work that is contrary to human physiology. When we object, threats and further problems arise.

I can no longer tolerate this. I am tired of constantly facing direct or indirect threats from my superiors. I leave all my savings to my mother. I apologize. I could not manage to live."

THERE IS FOOTAGE OF HIM BEING PUSHED AND SHOVED

Saymaz stated that in a video recording, Gök is seen being pushed and shoved by his superior, but noted that no one had filed a complaint regarding this incident.

Writing that "Gök's fellow soldiers explain that they have submitted the audio recordings, information, and documents in their possession to the investigation committee," Saymaz said these individuals told him, "The incident did not occur because of the commanding officer, but as a result of a sergeant who was two years his senior filing a report. If there is a commander who granted that authority, that will also come to light. Whoever is applying mobbing and pressure will receive their punishment."

News Source: 12punto