JINHA

ISTANBUL – In the 524th week of their struggle to find the missing in Turkey's long dirty war, the Saturday Mothers gathered in Istanbul yesterday to demand to know the fate of Nurettin Yedigöl, lost during torture in the 1980 Turkish coup. The Mothers distributed tea and simit: the last food Nurettin ate before he was lost in state custody.

The mothers read a letter from Nurettin's mother, Zeycan, who has dedicated the last 34 years of her life to the struggle.

"I'm old now, but I will search for my son's fate in the next world as well," said Zeycan in the letter. "And after me, his grandchildren will ask my son's fate."

The Saturday Mothers held their 524th weekly sit in at Galatasaray Square, bearing their characteristic red carnations and holding signs reading, "We know the perpetrators; where are the missing?" This week, the action was dedicated to Nurettin Yedigöl, lost under state custody on April 12, 1981.

"Nurettin never spoke; this enraged the torturers," recalled Ümit Efe, who was held with Nurettin. "So he was tortured for 24 hours and left without food. Finally, we sent him a glass of tea and a simit. These were the last things he ate."

Sevim Yedigöl, Nurettin's sister, also spoke. She said the state still sends summons for Nurettin's mandatory military service, renewing the constant pain of his loss.

"This state needs to stop joking with us," she said. "Don't joke with us. These people who you kid around with will one day call you to account."

(pk-zd/fk/nt/cm)