HC Deb 28 February 1997 vol 291 cc424-5W
Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if a British official attended the hearing on 6 February of the judicial investigation into the death of the Turkish journalist Metin Goktepe; and if he will make a statement. [17856]

Mr. David Davis

No British official was able to attend the Goktepe trial on 6 February. But we continue to follow this case closely, and we hope to be able to send an observer to attend the next session of the trial on 11 April.

Mr. Corbyn

To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs if he will make representations to the Turkish Government about the alleged use of torture by police officers on witnesses of Metin Goktepe's death on 8 January. [17852]

Mr. David Davis

Our embassy in Ankara has raised a number of aspects about the Goktepe trial with the Turkish authorities. These include reports that police officers used torture on witnesses. We will continue to follow this case closely.