An investigation was launched against Turkish Medical Association (TTB) Chair Şebnem Korur Fincancı after she answered Selahattin Işıldak‘s questions on Medya Haber TV regarding the footage of Turkey’s alleged chemical attack in the Kurdistan Region of Iraq. Far-right Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), part of the ruling ‘People’s Alliance’ in Turkey, targeted Fidancı for her statement that she concluded toxic chemical gas that directly affects the nervous system was used.

MHP MP Levent Bülbül targeted Şebnem Korur Fincancı at the Grand National Assembly of Turkey on Thursday. Hours after Bülbül’s statements, the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office took action and launched an investigation against Fincancı.

The investigation includes charges of “propagandising terrorist organisations” and “degrading Turkish Nation, State of Turkish Republic, the organs and institutions of the state”.

Fincancı said to Gazete Karınca, “I make these assessments not as the Chair of the TTB, but as a forensic medicine expert.” Regarding the investigation against her, she said, “This is intimidation and I won’t refrain from giving my opinion just because of an investigation.”

On Tuesday, video footage released by the People’s Defence Forces (HPG) which shows a group of Turkish soldiers with a device allegedly to deliver an explosive chemical device. The footage also shows guerrilla fighters suffering from the alleged chemical attacks.

Forensic specialist Professor Fincancı said in a Medya Haber broadcast that she went over the footage and concluded that some toxic chemical gas that directly affects the nervous system was used.

AKP Spokesperson Ömer Çelik denied the allegation that the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) used chemical weapons against the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) guerrillas and said, “Those who accuse the Turkish Armed Forces of using chemical weapons are part of a vile slander network.”