AUTOPSY RESULTS SHOW USAGE OF CHEMICAL WEAPON IN ATTACK IN SYRIA’S IDLIB – TURKISH JUSTICE MINISTER

The Turkish Justice Minister claims that autopsy results have confirmed the fact of the usage of chemical weapons in attack in the Syrian province of Idlib on April 4.

Photo: Getty Images / AFP / Mohamed al-Bakour

Results of an autopsy of three Syrians, who died in Turkey after being transported to the country for treatment following the suspected chemical attack in Khan-Shaykhun town, located in the Syrian province of Idlib, has confirmed the fact that chemical weapons were used in the area on April 4, Turkish Justice Minister Bekir Bozdag said on Thursday. Reportedly, the statement was made during a press conference with reporters in the Central Anatolian province of Kirikkale.

“An autopsy was conducted in Adana on three bodies taken from Idlib. A representative for the World Health Organization [WHO], representatives from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons [OPCW] and forensic experts participated in the autopsy. As a result of the autopsy, it has been determined that a chemical weapon was used. The forensic report has clearly revealed this. The autopsy was completed with the efforts of both WHO and OPCW representatives. It has been determined that al-Assad used chemical weapons, and this was also spotted with the scientific examination,” the hurriyet newspaper quoted Bozdag’s words.

According to the Anadolu news agency, the autopsies, conducted in the Turkish southern province of Adana were finished in the early hours of April 6. Reportedly, the autopsies’ process was recorded on video. Representatives of a WHO delegation, as well as Turkish forensic experts collected samples in order to conduct further examination.

On Wednesday, just before a meeting of the UN Security Council, Ankara sent a report to the UN, in which it claimed that on April 4, the Syrian government launched an attack, using chemical weapons. According to the document, the gas, used in the attack, was chlorine.

An initial report over possible material of the alleged chemical attack, based on symptoms and results of tests, conducted on the victims, as well as on their testimonies, was prepared by Turkish Chemical, Biological, Radiological and Nuclear teams (KBRN).