Abducted soldier’s family says they are hopeful for his return

AMASYA - Doğan News Agency

The wife of abducted soldier Zihni Koç, Mihrican Koç says she is still hopeful for her husband’s return. Koç was abducted in July 2009 by the PKK. DHA photo

The family of 35-year-old Specialist Sergeant Zihni Koç, who was abducted by alleged members of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) in the southeastern province of Diyarbakır’s Lice district 17 months ago, is still hopeful that he will return home alive.

Veysel Koç, the missing sergeant’s 56-year-old father, said they had received no news from the time their son went missing. “My wife had a heart attack and died 10 months ago as she missed our son a lot. After my wife’s death, I don’t want to hear of my son’s loss. I am asking for help, please find our son,” he said.
On July 9, 2011, in the Fis village of Diyarbakır province, the PKK members abducted two soldiers and one health technician. After the sergeant was abducted, his wife Mihrican Koç moved to Veysel Koç’s house with her two children.

“17 months have passed. We’ve run out of patience. Those who brought [the abducted] journalist [Cüneyt Ünal] from Syria, must free our children, as well. Turks and Kurds are the brothers of faith. We don’t have a problem with anyone. Turks and Kurds are brothers. Our daughter-in-law is a Kurd, as well,” Veysel Koç said.