HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT TURKEY : Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TIHV) August 2012
(08/001) Operations and clashes in South-east…
Two soldiers were killed with the explosion of the landmine in Lice District of Diyarbakır Province on 1 August 2012. Tahir Özgün, the head of the Koçbaşı Village was abducted by HPG militants in Saray District of Van Province on 30 July 2012.
(08/002) Extra-judicial killing attempt in Kilis Province…
Handicapped A.Ö. was shot from his leg by a soldier on the grounds that he was a smuggler in the vicinity of Syria Border in Kilis Province on 31 July 2012. A.Ö. was hospitalised to Kilis State Hospital.
(08/003) JITEM case on the murder by unknown assailants in Cizre District…
Two ongoing cases on Gendarmerie Intelligence and Fighting with Terrorism Department (JITEM) – JİTEM Case with 15 defendants on the murders by unknown assailant, sabotages and bombings in Diyarbakır, Mardin, Batman and Şırnak Provinces in 1989 and 1994 and the JİTEM case with five defendants including Mahmut Yıldırım –whose code name is “Yeşil/Green” and the informant Abdülkadir Aygan- on the eight murders in Diyarbakır Province between 1992 and 1994- had been integrated on the grounds that the charges in both of the cases are the same. On 31 July 2012 Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No. 6 went on hearing the integrated case against 16 defendants in total.
None of the defendants was present in the hearing and the court adjudicated to launch procedure for the extradition of Abdülkadir Aygan from Sweden and adjourned the hearing to 15 November 2012.
(08/004) Excessive use of force by law enforcement officers…
Three police officers in plain clothes beat Ertan Babatürk and took him to Gaziosmanpaşa Security Directorate on the grounds that he did not allow them to pass in the traffic in Gaziosmanpaşa District of İstanbul Province on 31 July 2012.
(08/005) Tried deputy…
On 31 July 2012 Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No. 6 went on hearing the case against Aysel Tuğluk, Van Deputy, in connection with her statements in a TV programme in Diyarbakır Province on 29 December 2010 on charges of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation” under Article 7/2 of Anti-Terror Law. The court adjudicated to postpone the prosecution against the defendant for 3 years basing its verdict to the Temporary Article 1/1-b of the Law No. 6352 which came into force as a part of the Third Judiciary Reform Package on 5 July 2012.
(08/006) coercion in prison…
Lawyers Mazlum Dinç, Rezan Sarıca, and Mehmet Devran Devrim were not allowed to visit their client Abdullah Öcalan on 31 July 2012 on grounds that the ship that would carry them to İmralı Island was out of order.
(08/007) Racist attack in İstanbul Province…
Kurdish construction workers had faced with lynch attempt of the inhabitants of Ayazağa Quarter of Şişli District of İstanbul Province on 30 July 2012. Workers had resisted the attack and the police teams had dispersed the workers by using pepper gas.
Nearly 1000 workers had to leave the quarter on the guards that the tension is still high.
(08/008) Intervention to the protest in İstanbul Province…
Döndü Ergin (70), one of Peace Mothers who had been wounded in the intervention to the protest in İstanbul Province on 30 July 2012 was hospitalised.
(08/009) Detentions and arrests…
Eser Morsümbül, a member of the Youth Federation, was detained in Çağlayan Quarter of Kâğıthane District of İstanbul Province on 30 July 2012.
02. August 2012 Daily Human Rights Report
(08/010) Operations and clashes in South-east…
Two temporary village guards were wounded in the attack on the guards in the rural part of Mezra Municipality of Beytüşşebap District of Şırnak Province on 31 July.
Five soldiers were wounded in the clash between Turkish Armed Forces and Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK) armed wing People’s Defence Forces (HPG) in Dağlıca Region of Yüksekova District of Hakkâri Province on 1 August 2012.
A police officer was wounded in the explosion that took place as the vehicle of the special operation department vehicle passing by in the downtown of Hakkâri Province on 2 August 2012.
(08/011) The Case on Mısır Bazaar…
The Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No. 12 adjourned the hearing of the case of sociologist and writer Pınar Selek during the sixth hearing of the trial that began at 10:00 on Wednesday. Selek has already gone through a gruelling 14 year long trial process in connection with a blast in Istanbul’s Spice Bazaar in 1998. The court also rejected a request by suspect Maşallah Yağan to issue his plea in Kurdish in a separate case.
The court scheduled the next hearing for Nov. 22 to allow for the completion of relevant procedures.
Pınar Selek herself did not attend the trial, although a number of academics, journalists, representatives from women’s organizations, human rights advocates and members of LGBT (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transexual) associations also showed up in court to lend their support.
The court had already ruled to acquit Selek three times before, but the Ninth Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court of Appeals then overturned those verdicts, and the Assembly of Criminal Chambers of the Supreme Court of Appeals subsequently ratified that decision as well.
The Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No. 12 then finally resisted in its latest decision to acquit Selek, but the prosecutor’s office presented yet another legal opinion demanding life imprisonment for the suspect.
Chief Justice Vedat Yılmaz Abdurrahmanoğlu and Prosecutor Nuri Ahmet Saraç did not appear on Wednesday’s trial due to the summer recess, and Justice Mehmet Erdoğan and Prosecutor Mehmet Akif Ekinci oversaw the hearing on their behalf.
Prosecutor Ekinci demanded that the case file be handed over to them, as they were temporarily overseeing the trial. Defendant lawyer Akın Atalay then said they had already presented their plea and reminded the court of the decision on Feb. 2011 to acquit Selek. The court then agreed to hand the case file over the the prosecutor to allow for him to decide whether he agreed with the legal opinion as to the accusations or not and to grant more time to the suspects for their plea. The case was thus adjourned for Nov. 22.
Pınar Selek’s sister and lawyer Seyda Selek told bianet that the 14 year long trial had turned into an ordeal both for Pınar Selek and for her loves ones and reiterated the fact that the court had repeatedly ruled for her acquittal anyway.
The We Are Still Witnesses Platform that long strove for Selek’s acquittal also issued a written statement at the conclusion of Wednesday’s hearing that highlighted their unyielding determination to achieve justice in the person of Pınar Selek.
Selek’s case bears a symbolic significance for Turkey, Selek’s friend Karin Karakaşlı further noted, adding that people from various sections of society were highly fond of Selek, as she had actively partaken in every battle for human rights. Maşallah Yağan who also appeared in Wednesday’s hearing requested a Kurdish translator and the right to plea in Kurdish, as he could not fully express himself in Turkish.
The court delegation, however, rejected his request, arguing that he already knew Turkish, as he had issued his former pleas in Turkish.
(08/012) Racist attack in Muğla Province…
Racist group attacked on the Kurdish workers of the hotel that has a Kurdish manager in Dalyan Municipality of Ortaca District of Muğla Province on 1 August 2012. Group caused material damage in the restaurant of the hotel and the workers took refuge in the upper floors of the hotel.
(08/013) Racist attack in Çorum Province…
Two Alevites were attacked after they drank water in Çorum Province on 1 August 2012.
(08/014) Convicted party executive…
On 1 August 2012 Erzurum 2 sentenced Mukaddes Kubilay, the executive border member of the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) and former Mayor of Doğubayazıt District, to 7 years and 7 months of imprisonment, in connection with her speeches as a mayor in 2009 on charges of “being a member of an illegal organisation” under Article 314 of TPC and “making propaganda of an illegal organisation” under Article 7/2 of Anti-Terror Law.
(08/015) Convicted persons…
On 31 July 2012 Doğubayazıt Penal Court of First Instance 2 sentenced Dağubayazıt Mayor Canan Korkmaz and Vice Mayor Mehmet Babayiğit to 18 months of imprisonment each in connection with the march they had participated in Doğubayazıt District of Ağrı Province on 24 April 2011 on charges of “opposing to the Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations”.
(08/016) Finalised KCK case in Ağrı Province…
On 1 August 2012 de Erzurum Heavy Penal Court No. 2 finalised the case against 11 defendants who had been detained in the home raids against the members and executives of the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) –BDP’s Diyadin District Branch Chairperson Musa Zorbay had also been detained- in Diyadin District of Ağrı Province on 1 February 2012 and five of them had been arrested the next day.
The court sentenced Musa Zorbay to 10 years and 6 months of imprisonment on charges of “being a member of an illegal organisation” under Article 314 of TPC; Seyat Kaya, Vice Chairperson, to 12 years of imprisonment; Ahmet Temel and İsmet Karaman, BDP members, to 7 years and 6 months of imprisonment; Cenap İlboğa, Mesopotamia Solidarity Association with the Relatives of the Losts’s (MEYA-DER) Ağrı Representative to 6 years and 3 months of imprisonment.
The court also acquitted Abdullah Tunç, Kemal Demir, Sevgi İlboğa, Fevzi Karaman, Ahmet Fatih Demir, Nihat Çiftçi.
(08/017) Mayor removed from office…
The Council of State’s Chamber No. 8 adjudicated to remove Siirt Mayor Selim Sadak from his office on the grounds that his 10 months of imprisonment sentence was approved by the Supreme Court of Appeal’s Penal Chambers No. 9 on 1 August 2012.
(08/018) Intervention to the workers action in Ankara Province…
Ankara’da İnşaat Mühendisleri Odası’ndan (İMO) işten çıkarılmasının ardından 164 gündür İMO önünde “işimi geri istiyorum” talebiyle eylem yapan Cansel Malatyalı’nın 1 August 2012 de İMO binasına “İMO yönetimi tarafından keyfi olarak işten çıkarıldım. İşimi geri istiyorum” yazılı pankartı asması üzerine olay yerine gelen polis ekipleri Cansel Malatyalı’nın da arasında bulunduğu 8 kişiyi gözaltına aldı.
03. August 2012 Daily Human Rights Report
(08/019) Extra-judicial killing in Adana Province…
M.A. (11) who had been wounded with the hit of the gas bomb canister in the intervention of the police teams to the protest against the incommunicado prison conditions of Abdullah Öcalan in Yüreğir District of Adana Province on 29 July 2012 died in the hospital on 2 August 2012.
(08/020) Operations and clashes in South-east…
Two soldiers were killed and 13 were wounded in the armed attack on the gendarmerie headquarters in Bilgili Village of Eruh District of Siirt Province on 2 August 2012.
(08/021) Coercion in prison…
Ahmet Mahmut Ünlü, who has been known as “Cübbeli Ahmet Hoca” and who had been a pre-trial detainee in kaldığı Metris (İstanbul) T Tipi Prison due to the investigation on “Karagümrük Gang” since 10 December 2011 was hospitalised on 2 August 2012.
Ahmet Mahmut Ünlü’s lawyer Fatih Oğuz stated that his client has several illnesses and has problems because he could not get proper medical diagnosis in prison.
(08/022) Coercion in prison…
Lawyers Mazlum Dinç, Rezan Sarıca, and Mehmet Devran Devrim were not allowed to visit their client Abdullah Öcalan on 2 August 2012 on grounds that the ship that would carry them to İmralı Island was out of order.
(08/023) Fire in prison…
S.B., a pre-trial detainee in Malatya E Type Closed Prison, whose demand to be transferred to another prison was rejected, set fire to his bed and he was effected from the smoke so that he was hospitalised to Malatya State Hospital on 2 August 2012.
(08/024) Tried deputy…
On 2 August 2012 Erzurum Heavy Penal Court No. 3 went on hearing the case against Mardin Deputy Ahmet Türk in connection with with his speech in Doğubayazıt District of Ağrı Province on 22 January 2011 on charges of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation” under Article 7/2 of Anti-Terror Law.
The court adjudicated to postpone the prosecution against the defendant for three years basing its verdict to the Temporary Article 1/1-b of the Law No. 6352 which came into force as a part of the Third Judiciary Reform Package on 5 July 2012.
(08/025) Home raids in İstanbul Province…
Two people were detained in home raids on the grounds that they were members of Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front -Devrimci Halk Kurtuluş Parti/Cephesi (DHKP/C) in Gazi Quarter of Sultangazi District of İstanbul Province on 3 August 2012.
04.-06. August 2012 Daily Human Rights Report
(08/026) Operations and clashes in South-east…
Six soldiers, 2 temporary village guards and 14 militants were killed and 15 soldiers, a temporary village guard and five civilians were wounded in the in the clash between Turkish Armed Forces and Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK) armed wing People’s Defence Forces (HPG) aftermath the armed attacks of the HPG on three headquarters in Çukurca District of Hakkâri Province on 5 August 2012.
Two militants had reportedly been killed in the armed attack in which on the headquarters in Bilgili Village of Eruh District of Siirt Province on 2 August 2012. The death of the two soldiers had been reported before.
(08/027) Extra-judicial killing attempt in Diyarbakır Province…
Tw o soldiers had been killed with the explosion of the landmine and in the armed attack in Lice District of Diyarbakır Province on 1 August 2012. Soldiers fired to the construction workers that arrived to the scene of incident and wounded Osman Damla. Osman Damla applied to the Human Rights Association’s (IHD) Diyabakır Branch office on 4 August 2012 for judicial support.
(08/028) Coercion in prison…
The administration of the Kırıklar (İzmir) F Type Closed Prison No. 2 decided to destroy the book titled Be Entrusted to Peace/Barışa Emanet Olun written by Hasan Cemal on the grounds that the book was “inappropriate”. The incident was revealed on 4 August 2012 with Seyithan Kutlu’s letter dated on 16 May 2012.
(08/029) Excessive use of force by law enforcement officers…
Erhan Tuncel, who had been tried as the instigator of the murder of Agos Newspaper’s Editor-in-chief Hrant Dink by Ogün Samast in İstanbul Province on 19 January 2007 and acquitted by İstanbul Heavy Penal Court No. 14, resisted to the police officers and told them “he did lots of things for the security directorate” during an ID check in İstanbul Province on 2 August 2012 but the officers beat and detained him.
07.-09.August 2012 Daily Human Rights Report
(08/030) Explosion in Muş Province…
Sera Yılmaz (8) was killed with the explosion of the thing she had found in Şenyayla Region of Kızılağaç Municipality of Muş Province on 6 August 2012.
(08/031) Operations and clashes in South-east…
Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK) armed wing People’s Defence Forces (HPG) militants abducted three soldiers on the road between Lice and Bingöl in Diyarbakır Province on 6 August 2012.
(08/032) Temporary security zones in Hakkâri Province…
Hakkâri Governorate announced 7 zones in Hakkâri Province between 6 July and 6 October 2012 and banned the trespassing of the civilians to the zones, reported on 7 August 2012.
(08/033) Convicted person…
On 7 August 2012 Erzurum Heavy Penal Court No. 2 went on hearing the case against Adem Yılmaz (26) who had been arrested on the grounds that he had thrown stones to the law-enforcement in the Celebration of Newroz in Iğdır Province 21 March 2012 and sentenced him to 6 years and 6 months of imprisonment on charges of “committing offence on behalf of an organisation although he is not a member” under Article 220/6 of TPC, “opposing to the Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations” and “resisting public officers on duty”.
(08/034) Coercion in prison…
Lawyers Mazlum Dinç, Rezan Sarıca, and Hüseyin Boğatekin were not allowed to visit their client Abdullah Öcalan on 7 August 2012 on grounds that the ship that would carry them to İmralı Island was out of order.
(08/035) Ongoing case on the murder of Engin Çeber with torture…
On 6 August 2012 Bakırköy Heavy Penal Court No. 14 heard the legal argument of the prosecutor on the essence of the case and the public prosecutor has demanded life sentence in solitary confinement and with no possibility of parole for two prison guards charged with inflicting torture on Engin Çeber that resulted in his death in 2008. The hearing was adjourned for the preparation of the legal argument of the defendant on the essence of the case to 1 October 2012.
The jailed suspects Fuat Karaosmanoğlu, Selahattin Apaydın, Nihat Kızılkaya, and Sami Ergazi and lawyers for all parties were in attendance at the hearing. Çeber’s father, Ali Tekin, and sister, Şerife Çeber, were also present.
Public Prosecutor Erdal Şenol demanded “aggravated life imprisonment” for guards Selahattin Apaydın and Sami Ergazi, who are charged with “aggravated torture,” a prison sentence of between 3 to 12 years for guard Nihat Kızılkaya on the charge of “torture,” and between 6 months and 1 year in prison for Deputy Director Fuat Karaosmanoğlu on a charge of “misconduct.” The prosecutor expressed his opinion that Kızılkaya and Karaosmanoğlu should be released on charges of misconduct at their post, but requested 3 to 12 years in prison for police officers Mehmet Pek, Abdülmuttalip Bozyel, Murat Çise and Yavuz Uzun.
Çeber allegedly died due to torture and maltreatment he suffered at Metris Prison on Oct. 10, 2008.
The victim and three friends were taken into custody after participating in a rally protesting police brutality and violence, at which they read a press statement. His friends, who survived, described in detail the torture they experienced at the Şehit Muhsin Bodur police station and Metris prison.
The forensic medical report said Çeber died as a result of torture. Then-Justice Minister Mehmet Ali Şahin accepted the report’s statement and apologized to the public.
(08/036) Excessive use of force by law enforcement officers…
Kemal Karataş who has mental disorder and his brother Servet Karataş were beaten by police officers on the grounds that they declined to show their ID cards for the second time in Yenibosna Quarter of Bahçelievler District of İstanbul Province reported on 7 August 2012.
(08/037) Explosion in Şırnak Province…
Fuat Sak (18) was killed with the explosion of the howitzer shell he had found Yekmal Village of Uludere District of Şırnak Province on 7 August 2012.
(08/038) Coercion in prison…
Dicle News Agency’s (DİHA) reporter Özlem Ağuş who had been arrested in the framework of KCK investigation was reportedly banned from visits for 3 months and from phone conversations and letters for 45 days on the grounds that she jeopardised the internal security of the prison, reported on 7 August 2012.
(08/039) Extra-judicial killing in Van Province…
Veysi Demir (15) was killed by the fire of soldiers as he was going to Iran to buy oil in Toprakseven Village of Çaldıran District of Van Province on 6 August 2012.
(08/040) Operations and clashes in South-east…
A militant was killed in the clash in the rural part of Mezra Municipality of Beytüşşebap District of Şırnak Province on 7 August 2012.
(08/041) Ongoing KCK Case in Diyarbakır Province…
Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No. 7 went on hearing the case against 23 defendants -16 pre-trial detainees- including the former editor in chief of Azadiya Welat Newspaper Tayip Temel on charges of “being a member of an illegal organisation” under Article 314 of TPC on 6 August 2012.
The court adjudicated to merge the case with the pending KCK/TM Main Case in Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No. 6 and sent the document to it.
(08/042) Tried persons…
İstanbul Heavy Penal Court No. 15 went on hearing the case against the 6 defendants Melis Ciddioğlu, Cemray Baş, Gürkan Türkoğlu, Eser Morsümbül, Hazal Kaya and Seçkin Aydoğan the member of Group Yorum, who had been detained in home raids in Nurtepe Quarter of Kâğıthane District of İstanbul Province on 13 December 2011 on charges of “committing offence on behalf of an organisation although he is not a member” under Article 220/6 of TPC on 8 August 2012
The court adjourned the hearing to 5 December 2012 on the grounds that the report of the Forensic Medicine Institute on the photographs that were the evidences used against the defendants was not finalised yet.
(08/043) Operations and clashes in South-east…
A soldier was killed and 2 others were wounded in the clash in Kato Mountain in Beytüşşebap District of Şırnak Province on 8 August 2012.
(08/044) Ongoing Revolutionary Headquarters Case…
On 7 August 2012 İstanbul Heavy Penal Court No. 9 went on hearing the case against 74 defendants (129 pre-trial detainees) who have been detained in the operations launched after the murder of Orhan Yılmazkaya, allegedly leader of the Revolutionary Headquarters Organisation (Devrimci Karargâh Örgütü) in Bostancı Quarter of Kadıköy District of İstanbul Province on 27 April 2009 on charges of “being a member of an illegal organisation” under Article 314 of TPC.
The court heard the legal argument of the defendants and adjourned the hearing to 8 August 2012.
On 8 August 2012 the pre-trial detainees Deniz Küçükbumin, Hakan Soytemiz, Tuncay Yılmaz, Tamer Taş, Ağca Kaya, Ersin Sarıçam and Onur Erkut were released and the hearing was adjourned to 5 October 2012.
(08/045) Operations and clashes in South-east and Turkey…
A soldier was killed and 11 others were wounded with the two explosions as the army shuttle was passing by in Foça District of İzmir Province on 9 August 2012.
09.-13. August 2012 Daily Human Rights Report
(08/046) Operations and clashes in South-east…
A soldier was wounded in the explosion as the army vehicle was passing by on the road between Mardin and Diyarbakır Provinces on 9 August 2012.
(08/047) Operations and clashes in South-east…
A militant was killed and 2 others were wounded in the operation aftermath the attack on the armoured vehicle with a land mine which hsad been going to Bebleşin Gendarmerie Headquarters in Başkale District of Van Province on 10 August 2012.
(08/048) Death in prison…
Faruk Berte (45) was claimed to committed suicide by hanging himself in the laundry of Muş E Type Closed Prison on 9 August 2012.
(08/049) Operations and clashes in South-east…
Temporary village guard Adnan Çelik was wounded with the fire of the HPG militants as he was trying to run away from the road check of the militants in Kulp District of Diyarbakır Province on 10 August 2012.
(08/050) Extra-judicial killing attempt in Hakkâri Province…
Murat Temeş (33) was wounded with the gas bomb canister during the intervention of the police teams to the funeral of the HPG militant in Yüksekova District of Hakkâri Province on 10 August 2012.
(08/051) Operations and clashes in South-east and Turkey…
A soldier was killed and 11 others were wounded with the two explosions as the army shuttle was passing by in Foça District of İzmir Province on 9 August 2012. The driver of the shuttle Specialised Sergeant Hasan Furkan Özmen died in the hospital on 12 August 2012. Ş.K. who had been detained after the attack arrested on charges of “being the courier of the organisation” on 11 August 2012. Kurdistan Freedom Hawks (TAK) claimed responsibility for the attack.
(08/052) Extra-judicial killing İzmir Province…
Police officer who involved in a traffic accident wounded 4 people from the other car in Karabağlar District of İzmir Province on 12 August 2012 and Emrah Barlak one of the 7 wounded, died in the hospital.
(08/053) Operations and clashes in South-east…
Republican People Party (CHP) Tunceli Deputy Hüseyin Aygün was abducted by the HPG militants Ovacık District of Tunceli Province on 12 August 2012.
(08/054) Coercion in prison…
Lawyers Mazlum Dinç, Rezan Sarıca, and Hüseyin Boğatekin were not allowed to visit their client Abdullah Öcalan on 9 August 2012 on grounds that the ship that would carry them to İmralı Island was out of order.
(08/055) Coercion in prison…
Eight prisoners who had been transferred from Mardin E Type Closed Prison to İzmit E Type Closed Prison were beaten in the entrance of the latter reported on 13 August 2012.
(08/056) Tried person…
On 9 August 2012 Ankara Heavy Penal Court No. 12 went on hearing the case against Hanefi Avcı, former security director and the writer of the book The Simons Living in Haliç: Yesterday State Today the Community (Haliç’te Yaşayan Simonlar: Dün Devlet, Bugün Cemaat) who had been a pre-trail detainee from the Revolutionary Headquarters Case, in connection with his book on charges of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation” under Article 7/2 of Anti-Terror Law.
The court adjudicated to postpone the prosecution against the defendant for three years basing its verdict to the Temporary Article 1/1-b of the Law No. 6352 which came into force as a part of the Third Judiciary Reform Package on 5 July 2012.
(08/057) Finalised KCK case in Ağrı Province…
On 9 August 2012 Erzurum Heavy Penal Court No. 2 finalised the case against 5 defendants who had been detained in Ağrı Province on 16 January 2012 on charges of “being a member of an illegal organisation” under Article 314 of TPC and “making propaganda of an illegal organisation” under Article 7/2 of Anti-Terror Law and sentenced Murat Aslan’a (27) to 42 years of imprisonment; Özlem Özdemir (25) to 12 years 11 months of imprisonment; Hayrettin Bayram (24) to 14 years 2 months of imprisonment; Samet Aydemir ( 25) to 18 years 11 months of imprisonment and Akın Akar (25) to 12 years 11 months of imprisonment.
(08/058) Finalised KCK case in Batman Province…
On 10 August 2012 Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No. 5 finalised the case against 26 defendants -4 of them pre-trial detainees- who had been detained in Batman Province in 2009 on charges of “being a member of an illegal organisation” under Article 314 of TPC and “making propaganda of an illegal organisation” under Article 7/2 of Anti-Terror Law and sentenced Abdullah Köçer to 19 years 11 months 15 days of imprisonment; Talat Tuncer to 20 years 9 months 15 days of imprisonment; Mehmet Acar to 16 years 15 days of imprisonment; Mehmet Şakar to 27 years of imprisonment. The court sentenced Kerem Çiftçi and Mehmet Özbey to 21 years 5 months 15 days of imprisonment each; Hayrettin Çelik to 9 years of imprisonment; Şehmus Savdi to 18 years of imprisonment; Kadri Turgut to 19 years 11 months 15 days of imprisonment; Cengiz Kayar to 14 years 1 months 15 days of imprisonment; Süleyman Yiğit to 12 years 6 months of imprisonment; Burhan Korhan to 7 years 6 months of imprisonment.
The court acquitted the defendants Abdulbari Kabaağaç, Muzaffer Arıtürk, Kerem Çağil, Sabiha Onar, M. Ali Oğuz, Beşir Apakhan, Kadri Yıldırım, Burhan Şat, Mahmut Akıl, İzzettin Onar, Yaşar Okçu, Fatım Kapalıgöz and Şükran Ekmen.
(08/059) Intervention to the protest in İstanbul Province…
Four people were detained in the intervention of the police teams to the protest of the Freedom and Solidarity Party (ÖDP) against Hillary Clinton in İstanbul Province on 11 August 2012.
(08/060) Home raids in Siirt Province…
Seven out of the 9 people who had been detained in home raids in Dönerdöver and Özlüpelit Villages of Eruh District of Siirt Province were arrested on charges of “helping and harbouring an illegal organisation” under Article 220/7 on 10 August 2012.
(08/061) Home raids in Mersin Province…
Six juveniles were detained in home raids in Mersin Province on 12 August 2012.
(08/062) Home raids in Adana Province…
Twenty people – 16 of them juveniles- were detained in synchronised home raids of the Fighting with Terrorism Department teams in Adana Province on 12 August 2012.
(08/063) Home raids in Osmaniye Province…
Seven members of the People’s Democratic Congress (HDK) and Peace and Democracy Party (BDP)were detained in synchronised home raids of the Fighting with Terrorism Department teams in Osmaniye Province on 11 August 2012.
(08/064) Detentions and arrests…
Sıdık Külter, the BDP’s Province Branch Executive, who has been detained in Şırnak Province on 6 August 2012 was arrested on charges of “being a member of an illegal organisation” under Article 314 of TPC on 9 August 2012.
14.-15. August 2012 Daily Human Rights Report
(08/065) Extra-judicial execution attempt in Ağrı…
It was learned that that the car of Mehmet Duman (31) was stopped by police teams in Ağrı-Doğubayazıt district, Somkaya village on 11 August 2012 on suspicion of smuggling cigarettes. He was hit by a bullet from an officer of the special operation unit with the result of getting blind on his left eye.
(08/066) CO on trial…
Ali Fikri Işık (55) was detained in Diyarbakir on 9 June 2012 and later arrested and put in Eskisehir Military Prison, because he had not done his military service. During the first hearing at Eskisehir Military Court on 14. August 2012 he declared his conscientious objection to military service in Kurdish. The court did not allow Ali Fikri Işık to defend himself in Kurdish, prolonged the arrest warrant and adjourned the hearing to 10 September 2012, when a psychologist will be present.
(08/067) House raids in Hakkâri…
During home raids of police teams the anti-terror department in Hakkâri-Yüksekova district 15 people were detained on 14 August 2012.
(08/068) Operations and clashes in the South-east…
During an attack on the police headquarters and gendarmerie station in Hatay-Ezin district two police officers were wounded on 14 August 2012.
(08/063) Death in prison…
On 26 April 2012 Colonel Mehmet Haşimoğlu (52) had been arrested as part of the “28 February investigation” and committed to Mamak (Ankara) Military Prison. Because of complaints with his stomach he had been under medical treatment since June. On 14 August 2012 he died in Gülhane Military Medical Academy.
(08/064) Operations and clashes in the South-east…
It was alleged that during a clash in the rural areas of Gültepe village in Van-Özalp district 3 militants were killed on 14 August 2012.
(08/065) Death in detention…
It was alleged that Ali A. (26) who had been detained with his father in İstanbul-Büyükçekmece district on 13 August 2012 committed suicide with the pistol of a police officer who accompanied him to the toilet.
(08/066) Operations and clashes in the South-east…
On 14 August 2012 Hüseyin Aygün, deputy for the Republican People’s Party (CHP) in Tunceli, who had been kidnapped by HPG militants controlling the road between Tuncel and Ovacık district on 12 August 2012, was released.
(08/067) Extra-judicial execution in İzmir…
On 12 August 2012 a fight occurred in İzmir-Karabağlar district after a crash of a police vehicle and a civilian car. A police officer reportedly shot at the passenger in the civilian car. Of the injured four people Emrah Barlak (26) had to be taken to hospital because of serious injuries and died there. The people officer responsible for the death of Emrah Barlak, whose name was not disclosed was arrested on 13 August 2012.
(08/068) Pressure in prison…
It was learned that Engin Ateş and Özkan Yılmaz, imprisoned in Kandıra (Kocaeli) F-type Prison 1 were first beaten by guardians during a search of their cell on 3 August 2012. Afterwards there were taken to the “sponge room” and were kept there for three hours being handcuffed by their hands on the back.
(08/069) Pressure in prison…
On 15 August 2012 it was learned that a bookmarker made of leafs that had been sent to the reporter of DIHA news agancy, Murat Aydin, imprisoned in Van F-type Prison was termed “dangerous” and not handed over.
(08/070) Attempt of self-burning in prison…
It was learned that on 11 August 2012 Hakan Durmuş (23), in pre-trial detention at Aydın E-type Prison sent himself on fire in his ward. He had to be taken to hospital with serious burn marks and his condition remains life threatening.
16.-22. August 2012 Daily Human Rights Report
(08/071) Explosion in Gaziantep Province…
Nine people -Sena Büyükkonut (13), Onur Fikret Aker (21), Duygu Aker (21), Almina Melisa Aker (1), Süleyman Alkan (3), Sevgi Gülperi İnanç (11), Davut Adak (31), Safi Canbaş (48), İsmail Daler (30)- were killed and 69 people were wounded in the explosion of the bomb in Korutürk Street of Gaziantep Province on 20 August 2012.
The authorities claimed that the attack was conducted by the Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK) armed wing People’s Defence Forces (HPG) but the HPG claimed that it has no connection with the attack. Five people were detained in the operations.
(08/072) Murder by unknown assailants in Şırnak Province…
Ali Kaya (52), was killed in the armed attack in his tent in Geznax Plateu of Beytüşşebap District of Şırnak Province just after the celebration of the anniversary of first armed attack of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK) on 15 August 2012.
(08/073) Murder by unknown assailants in Şırnak Province…
Ramazan Dindar the brother Mehmet Emin Dindar, the Şırnak deputy of the Justice and Development Party (AKP), was wounded in the armed attack and died in the hospital in Cizre District of Şırnak Province on 17 August 2012.
(08/074) Operations and clashes in South-east…
Abdurrahman Doğan (30), police officer who was wounded in the armed attack on the security point of the Edremit container town on the road between Van Province and Edremit District on 17 August 2012 lost his life in the hospital.
(08/075) Operations and clashes in South-east…
A police officer was wounded in the attack with a sound bomb on the building of the government in Şemdinli District of Şırnak Province on 16 August 2012.
(08/076) Operations and clashes in South-east…
A police officer was wounded in the attack with a long barrelled rifles and rocket launchers on the building of the government in Güroymak District of Bitlis Province on 16 August 2012.
(08/077) Operations and clashes in South-east…
A militant was killed in the clash between Turkish Armed Forces and Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK) armed wing People’s Defence Forces (HPG) in the rural part of Kızılmescit Village of Pülümür District of Tunceli Province on 16 August 2012.
(08/078) Operations and clashes in South-east…
Ubeydullah Sancar was abducted by HPG militants in Uygur Village of Kulp District of Diyarbakır Province on 17 August 2012.
(08/079) Operations and clashes in South-east…
Two soldiers were killed and a soldier was wounded with the explosion of a land mine in Dağlıca Region of Yüksekova District of Hakkâri Province on 18 August 2012. Fifteen militants were allegedly killed in the operation launched after the incident.
(08/080) Operations and clashes in South-east…
Two soldiers were killed and a soldier was wounded with the explosion of a land mine in the vicinity of Kırıkdağ Village on the road between Hakkâri and Van Provinces on 20 August 2012.
(08/081) Operations and clashes in South-east…
A police officer was wounded in the attack on Şehit Mehmet İşlek Police Station with long-barrelled weapons and rocket launchers in Şırnak Province on 19 August 2012. Six militants were allegedly killed in the operation launched after the incident.
(08/082) Operations and clashes in South-east…
AKP Sur District Brach’s former chairperson Hamit Çelikkanat was abducted by HPG militants in Dicle District of Diyarbakır Province on 21 August 2012.
(08/083) Operations and clashes in South-east…
Non-commissioned officer Metin Yıldırım (23) who had been wounded in the explosion of a mine in Besta region of Şırnak Province on 19 August 2012 died in the hospital on 21 August 2012.
(08/084) Racist atack in Erzincan Province…
An Alevi was subjected to a lynch attempt on the grounds that he smoked in Ramadan in Erzincan Province on 17 August 2012.
(08/085) Lynch attempt in Kırklareli Province…
Two people were wounded in the attack on the coffeehouse of the Kurdish workers after the rumours that the PKK has been collecting tribute from the shopkeepers in Babaeski District of Kırklareli Province on 15 August 2012.
(08/086) Şerzan Kurt Case
On 11 May 2010 a verbal quarrel between Kurdish students at Muğla University and a racist group turned into a fight. When the police intervened the student Şerzan Kurt (21) was heavily wounded and died in hospital on 19 May 2010. Later police officer Gültekin Şahin was detained on charges of having fired the shots on order of the temporary chief of the department to fight terrorism. On 17 August 2012 Eskişehir Heavy Penal Court No. 1 went on hear this case.
In summing up the case the prosecutor argued that the defendant police officers had committed “intentional murder” and demanded life imprisonment. The court adjourned the hearing to 7 September 2012 so that the lawyers of the parties can prepare their final written statement.
(08/087) Torture and ill-treatment in detention…
Boran Atıcı, a member of the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP) was detained in Esenler District of İstanbul Province on 17 August 2012 and tortured in Üçyüzlü Police Station that he was taken. He was kicked and punched after his hands were cuffed from behind. Pepper gas was sprayed to his eyes. He was also forced to cavity search.
(08/088) Excessive use of force by law enforcement officers…
Adnan Temeş (26) was seriously wounded with the hit of the gas bomb canister as he was in his balcony during the intervention of the police teams to the group protesting Minster of Interior İdris Naim Şahin in Hakkâri Province on 19 August 2012.
(08/089) Excessive use of force by law enforcement officers…
Three juveniles who had been effected from the gas bombs, hospitalised to Cizre State Hospital in Cizre District of Şırnak Province on 21 August 2012. Police teams launched gas bombs on the grounds that the juveniles had thrown stones to the Traffic Department near the shores of Tigris River.
(08/090) Convicted person…
İzmir Penal Court of First Instance No. 11 sentenced Hakan Gezik to 17 months and 5 days imprisonment on charges of “resisting and insulting police officers” on 5 May 2012 reported on 18 August 2012.
Hasan Gezik had been detained on the grounds that he had taken part in a fight and taken to İzmir Security Directorate where he had been beaten in İzmir Province on March 2011.
(08/091) Death in prison…
Mehmet Baş (35) was allegedly committed suicide by hanging himself in his dormitory in Silifke (Mersin) M Type Closed Prison on 21 August 2012.
(08/092) Coercion in prison…
Lawyers Mazlum Dinç, Rezan Sarıca, Ayşe Acinikli and Hüseyin Boğatekin were not allowed to visit their client Abdullah Öcalan on 17 August 2012 on grounds that the ship that would carry them to İmralı Island was out of order.
(08/093) Coercion in prison…
Okan Duman, who had been detained in İstanbul Province on 30 July 2011, and arrested on charges of being a member of Revolutionary Headquarters” and put into Tekirdağ F Type Closed Prison No. 1. He set himself on fire to protest the coercion to make him an informant on 29 July 2012 and 65% of his body was burnt down. He transferred to the prison again without proper medical treatment and he was sentenced to solitary confinement for 6 days on 18 August 2012.
(08/094) Coercion in prison…
Hasan Çelik who had been arrested on 14 August 2012 and sent to Kürkçüler (Adana) F Type Closed Prison was beaten by the gendarmerie soldiers in the entrance of the prison and according to the report on 18 August 2012 one of his teeth was broken, he had bruises in his eyes and his chin’s skin was thorn.
(08/095) Coercion in prison…
E.Ş., a juvenile in Şakran (İzmir) T Type Closed Prison, was beaten by guardians in a room without surveillance cameras and put into a room until he got better revealed by his father who applied to the Human Rights Association’s/İnsan Hakları Derneği (İHD) İzmir Branch on 20 August 2012.
(08/096) Intervention to the action in Hakkâri…
Police teams interfered the group celebrating the anniversary of the first armed attacked of the PKK (15 August 1984) in Hakkâri Province on 16 August 2012 with pressured water and gas bombs. A juvenile was wounded in the incident.
(08/097) Indictment against Anarchists…
The investigation against 48 people, 15 of the pre-trial detainees, who have been charged with breaking the windows of the shops and harming 17 ATMs in İstanbul Province on 1 May 2012 during the celebrations of Labour Day, reported on 17 August 2012. The prosecutor asked the imprisonment of the defendants up to 29 years.
İstanbul Penal Court of First Instance No. 39 accepted the 19-paged indictment and released the 15 pre-trial detainees. The indictment claims that the defendants had gathered under the name “Revolutionary Anarchist Action” and the elements of the crime of “being the executive or a member of an illegal organisation” were not occurred.
(08/098) Tried persons…
On 17 August 2012 Adana Heavy Penal Court No. 6 began to hear the case against 34 defendants – 28 of them pre-trial detainees- in connection with the funeral of the HPG militant Sadık Kaya in Mersin Province on 4 October 2011 on charges of “opposing to the Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations”. Sadık Kaya had been killed in the clash in Pazarcık District of Kahramanmaraş Province on 2 October 2011 and the defendant who had been detained in the funeral, were arrested on 8 and 9 October 2011.
The court declined the demand of the defendants to make their legal argument in Kurdish and released all pre-trial detainees. The hearing was adjourned to 30 October 2012.
(08/099) Attack on party building…
On 20 August 2012 material damage took place in the BDP’s Şehit Kâmil District Branch after unidentified people set the office on fire.
(08/100) Attack on party building…
On 21 August 2012 material damage took place in the BDP’s Yavuzeli District Branch after unidentified people set the office on fire.
(08/101) Attack on party building…
On 21 August 2012 material damage took place in the Peace and Democracy Party’s (BDP) Nizip District Branch in the attack on the office with Molotov Cocktails.
(08/102) Home raids in Osmaniye Province…
Two -Necmettin Özkan and Şefi Danış Akyol- out of the 10 members of the People’s Democratic Congress (HDK) and Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) were detained in synchronised home raids of the Fighting with Terrorism Department teams in Osmaniye Province on 11 August 2012 were arrested on charges of “being a member of an illegal organisation” and “committing offence and activities on behalf of an organisation” and “intentionally helping the organisation” on 15 August 2012.
(08/103) Home raids in Adana Province…
Hasan Çelik who had been detained with 19 other people in synchronised home raids of the Fighting with Terrorism Department teams in Adana Province on 12 August 2012 was arrested on charges of “being a member of an illegal organisation” and “committing offences and activities on behalf of an organisation” on 15 August 2012.
(08/104) Home raids in Diyarbakır Province…
Five people were detained in synchronised home raids of the Fighting with Terrorism Department teams in Diyarbakır Province on 15 August 2012.
(08/105) Raid on association building in Diyarbakır…
On 15 August 2012 three branches Özgür Yurttaş Associations in Fatih, Körhat, Kaynartepe Quarters and Yenişehir Gençlik Kültür Merkezi were raided in connection with the anniversary of the first armed attack of the PKK on 15 August 1984, in Diyarbakır Province. During the raid in Fatih Quarter police teams confiscated the computers and 730 TL that was collected as charity.
(08/106) Home raids in Hakkâri Province…
Fourteen out of the 15 people who had been detained in synchronised home raids of the Fighting with Terrorism Department teams in Yüksekova District of Hakkâri Province on 14 August 2012 were arrested on charges of “being a member of an illegal organisation” on 18 August 2012.
(08/107) Detentions and arrests…
Two members of the People’s Front were detained in Tunceli Province on 21 August 2012.
(08/108) Home raids in Ağrı Province…
Eight people were detained in synchronised home raids of the Fighting with Terrorism Department teams in Ağrı Province on 18 August 2012.
(08/109) Home raids in Hakkâri Province…
Two people were detained in synchronised home raids of the Fighting with Terrorism Department teams in Hakkâri Province on 18 August 2012.
(08/110) Detentions and arrests…
R.A. (22) who had been detained on the grounds that he took part in a fight in Alanya District of Antalya Province on 17 August 2012 was arrested on charges of “being a member of KCK” and sent to Alanya L Type Closed Prison.
23. August 2012 Daily Human Rights Report
08/117) Operations and clashes in South-east…
Five soldiers and 16 militants were killed and 7 soldiers were wounded in the explosion of the land mine and the clash between Turkish Armed Forces and Kurdistan Workers’ Party’s (PKK) armed wing People’s Defence Forces (HPG) in the rural region between Bağlar and Zorgeçit Villages of Şemdinli District of Hakkâri Province on 22 August 2012.
(08/118) Operations and clashes in South-east…
Sadi Özatak, the chairperson of Hakkâri Temporary Village Guards Association and Musa Temel were abducted by HPG militants on 19 August 2012.
(08/119) Coercion in prison…
Lawyers Mazlum Dinç, Rezan Sarıca, and Hüseyin Boğatekin were not allowed to visit their client Abdullah Öcalan on 22 August 2012 on grounds that the ship that would carry them to İmralı Island was out of order.
(08/120) Coercion in prison…
The prisoners in Van F Type Closed Prison organised a hunger strike for three days to protest the incommunicado prison conditions of Abdullah Öcalan. The administration banned the prisoners to have social activities for a month reported on 22 August 2012.
(08/121) Coercion in prison…
Avni İlhan who went to see his relative in Tekirdağ T Type Closed Prison No. 2 was forced to have cavity search on 22 August 2012. Avni İlhan made a public statement and claimed that five prisoners were beaten by guardians in the same prison a week ago.
(08/122) Coercion in prison…
Twelve prisoners who had been transferred from Şanlıurfa E Type Closed Prison to Bolu T Type Closed Prison were beaten by soldiers in the entrance reported on 22 August 2012.
(08/123) Attack on party building…
On 21 August 2012 material damage took place in the Peace and Democracy Party’s (BDP) Araban District Branch in the attack on the office with Molotov Cocktails.
(08/124) Attack on party building…
On 21 August 2012 material damage took place in the BDP’s Kocaeli Province Branch after unidentified people set the office on fire by pouring gas.
24. August 2012 Daily Human Rights Report
(08/125) Operations and clashes in South-east…
Five militants were killed in the attack on the security directorate and army brigade in the downtown of Şemdinli District of Hakkâri Province on 23 August 2012.
A soldier was killed and five others were wounded in the synchronised attacks on Omurlu Border Battalion Headquarters No. 2 and Derecik Gendarmerie Battalion in Derecik Municipality of Şemdinli District the same day.
(08/126) Operations and clashes in South-east…
Hayrullah Tanış, Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) Gürpınar District Branch Chairperson, who had been abducted in Van Province on 2 July 2012 was released on 23 August 2012.
(08/127) Juvenile hit by army vehicle…
Muhsin İşleyen (8) was seriously wounded with the hit of the over-speeding Akrep/Scorpion type army vehicle in Hakkâri Province on 23 August 2012.
(08/128) Death in prison…
Hakan Durmuş (23) who allegedly set himself on fire in Aydın E Type of Closed Prison on 11 August 2012 died in the hospital on 23 August 2012. His family claimed that he was murdered.
(08/129) Death in prison…
Soldier Hitami Yörük was claimed to commit suicide by hanging himself in the Prison of Central Headquarters in İzmir Province on 21 August 2012.
(08/130) Rape in prison…
B.E. (55) one of the guardians in Sincan (Ankara) Closed Prison for Females, raped a female prisoner T.K. (22) in the hospital of the prison, revealed after T.K. told the incident to her sister on 24 August 2012.
(08/131) Attack on party building…
On 22 August 2012 unidentified people attacked on the Peace and Democracy Party’s (BDP) Karşıyaka District Branch and destroyed the signboard of the party in the entrance of the building.
(08/132) Attack on party building…
On 22 August 2012 material damage took place in the Peace and Democracy Party’s (BDP) Çanakkale Province Branch in the attack on the office with stones.
(08/133) Attack on the association’s office…
Unidentified people attempted to set the Pir Sultan Abdal Kültür Association’s (PSAKD) Kartal Branch Office on fire causing material damage in Kartal District of İstanbul Province on 24 August 2012.
(08/134) Banned meeting…
Şanlıurfa Governorate banned the “We Salute Your Freedom March” meeting that planned to be held in Siverek District on 25 August 2012 on the grounds that the meeting could turn into the “propaganda of the illegal organisation” on 23 August 2012.
(08/135) Home raids in Ağrı Province…
Five out of the 8 detainees who had been detained in synchronised home raids of the Fighting with Terrorism Department teams in Doğubayazıt District of Ağrı Province on 18 August 2012 were arrested on charges of “being a member of an illegal organisation” on 22 August 2012.
25.-27. August 2012 Daily Human Rights Report
(08/136) Bomb attack in Gaziantep Province…
Fatma Erdem (10) who had been wounded in the bomb attack in Gaziantep Province on 20 August 2012 lost her life in the hospital on 24 August 2012.
Thirteen people had been detained in connection with the incident until today and two of them M.Ç., the driver of the tow truck, and M.H., the vice principal in a primary school in Siverek District of Şanlıurfa Province were arrested.
(08/137) Extra-judicial killing in Şanlıurfa Province…
Halil Yalavuz (28) was killed by soldiers on the grounds that he did not obey the stop warning in the vicinity of Syria Border and Zenginova Village of Akçakale District of Şanlıurfa Province on 24 August 2012.
(08/138) Wounding with random firing in Amasya Province…
Police Officer Veysel Turan (52) wounded Leyla Gümüş (52), Fikriye Yener (65) and Zübeyde Kaya (51) as he fired his firearm to the air to celebrate the wedding ceremony in Sarayözü Village of Hamamözü District of Amasya Province on 23 August 2012. Veysel Turan was released after he was interrogated by the prosecutor.
(08/139) Explosion in Tunceli Province…
Shepherd Oktay Kuçin (23) was wounded in the explosion as he was pastoring his herd in the vicinity of the gendarmerie station in the rural part of Sütlüce Village of Tunceli Province on 25 August 2012.
(08/140) Impunity in extra-judicial killing…
The Supreme Court of Appeal’s Penal Chambers No. 1 had annulled the verdict of local court against the police officer in plain clothes Remzi Cihat Durukan who killed Kafkas University (Kars) student Volkan Polat (24) with two bullets fired from close distance in Avcılar District of İstanbul Province on 6 April 2006 on the grounds that “the ten years of imprisonment is too much”
On 25 August 2012 Bakırköy Heavy Penal Court No. 5sentenced the defendant, the police officer in plain clothes Remzi Cihat Durukan, to 2 years and 6 months of imprisonment on the grounds that he killed the deceased under unfair incitation.
(08/141) Operations and clashes in South-east…
Two civilians were wounded in the attack on the headquarters under construction in Büyükçiftlik Municipality of Yüksekova District of Hakkâri Province on 26 August 2012.
(08/142) Operations and clashes in South-east…
Zeydin Sargut, the caterpillar operator, was abducted by the HPG militants in Somkaya Village of Ağrı Province on 25 August 2012.
(08/143) Excessive use of force by law enforcement officers…
!2 people effected and hospitalised from the gas bombs used by the gendarmerie soldiers to interfere the convicted defendants who found the sentences too high in the courthouse in Espiye District of Giresun Province on 23 August 2012.
(08/144) Excessive use of force by law enforcement officers…
Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No. 4 declined the demand of the defendant who had been tried on charges of “throwing Molotov cocktails to the security forces” to make his legal argument in written form and the defendant shouted slogans. The gendarmerie soldiers began to beat the defendant to take him out of the court house on 27 August 2012.
The head of the judge’s committee adjudicated to make an official complaint against the soldiers on charges of “ill-treatment” against the defendant.
(08/145) Attack on party building…
Material damage occurred with the explosion of the sound bomb in the BDP’s District Branch office in İskenderun District of Hatay Province on 25 August 2012.
(08/146) Banned meeting…
Ministry of Interior Affairs banned the “We Salute Your Freedom March” meeting that planned to be held in Cizre District of Şırnak Province on 26 August 2012 on the grounds that the meeting could turn into the “propaganda of the illegal organisation” on 24 August 2012.
(08/147) Banned meeting…
Kızıltepe District (Mardin) Governorate banned the “We Salute Your Freedom March” meeting that planned to be held in Kızıltepe District on 26 August 2012 on the grounds that the meeting could turn into the “propaganda of the illegal organisation” on 25 August 2012.
(08/148) Home raids in Mersin Province…
Eight people were detained in synchronised home raids in Mersin Province on 26 August 2012.
28. August 2012 Daily Human Rights Report
(08/149) Operations and clashes in South-east…
A militant who had been wounded in the attack in Erzin District of Hatay Province on 14 August 2012 died on 27 August 2012.
(08/150) Operations and clashes in South-east…
Halil Esendemir (55) the driver of the tractor that was carrying supplies to the army unit in Fındık Municipality of Güçlükonak District of Şırnak Province was abducted on 26 August 2012.
(08/151) Operations and clashes in South-east…
Zeydin Sargut caterpillar operator who had been abducted in the vicinity of Somkaya Village of Ağrı Province on 25 August 2012 was released on 27 August 2012.
(08/152) Racist attack in Sakarya Province…
Eighteen people were wounded in the racist attack that targeted seasonal Kurdish workers and their families in Ortaköy Village of Kocaali District of Sakarya Province on 26 August 2012. The families decided to return to Diyarbakır Province.
29. August 2012 Daily Human Rights Report
(08/153) Explosion in Gaziantep Province…
Yaşar Bayram who had wounded in the explosion in Gaziantep Province on 20 August 2012 died in the hospital on 28 August 2012. Five out of the 11 detainees who had been detained in connection with the incident were arrested on 28 August 2012.
(08/154) Operations and clashes in South-east…
Five soldiers had been killed and 7 soldiers were wounded with the explosion of the bomb with remote control as the helicopter had been landing on Deryan Hill during the operation on 23 July 2012. One of the wounded soldiers died in the hospital on 28 August 2012.
(08/155) Operations and clashes in South-east…
A militant was killed in the attack on Kerkük-Yumartalık petrol pipeline in Silopi District of Şırnak Province on 26 August 2012.
(08/156) Finalised FESK case…
On 28 August 2012 Ankara Heavy Penal Court No. 11 went on hearing the case against the four defendants -Tahir Laçin, Mesut Çeki, and Nilüfer Şahin- on charges of “being members and executives of an illegal organisation” and “acting on behalf of the organisation” named Armed Forces of the Poor and Oppressed (FESK) after the annulment verdict of the Supreme Court of Appeal’s Penal Chamber No. 9 on 6 May 2009.
The court sentenced Tahir Laçin and Nilüfer Şahin to life sentence and Mesut Çeki to 15 years of imprisonment.
(08/157) Coercion in prison…
The novel entitled “My Eyes were Remained in Your Freedom (Özgürlüğünde Kaldı Gözlerim) and written by Demir Çelik the Muş Deputy of the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) published by Aram Press, was not given to the prisoners by the administration of Osmaniye T Type Closed Prison on the grounds that the novel is inappropriate on 28 August 2012.
(08/158) Coercion in prison…
It is reported that a decision was taken for the transfer of seventy prisoners of Adıyaman E Type Closed Prison to another prison against their will on 28 August 2012.
(08/159) Coercion in prison…
Hüseyin Beyaz, the BDP’s Seyhan District Branch former executive, who has been a convict in Kürkçüler (Adana) F Type Closed Prison was transferred to Bursa H Type Closed Prison reported on 28 August 2012.
(08/154) Coercion in prison…
Lawyers Mazlum Dinç, Rezan Sarıca, Gülşen Özbek and Selvi Tunç were not allowed to visit their client Abdullah Öcalan on 28 August 2012 on grounds that the ship that would carry them to İmralı Island was out of order.
(08/161) Detentions and arrests…
Rıdvan Gelici and Levent Gelici who had been detained by special task force teams in Şapatan (Altınsu) Village of Şemdinli District of Hakkâri Province on 28 August 2012 were arrested on charges of “helping and harbouring an illegal organisation” the same day.
30.-31. August 2012 Daily Human Rights Report
(08/162) Extra-judicial killing in Ankara Province…
On 30 August 2012 Cem Aygün (22), who had to give his signature at a police station being on probation after he was convicted to 13 months of imprisonment, was hot dead in Keçiören District of Ankara Province. Police officers shot at a vehicle he was travelling in allegedly because stop warnings were ignored. One of the women travelling with him reportedly was seriously wounded and is in a coma, the other one testified to the prosecutor.
(08/163) Hate killing in Diyarbakır…
On 29 August 2012 it was learned that R.A. (17) was killed in Metropol Quarter of Kayapınar District of Diyarbakır Province with 14 bullets by his father and his uncle. It became known when he mother went to the police headquarters and reported the incident. The father and the uncle were arrested.
One LGBT activist living in Diyabakır said that the murder was committed a month ago but had been covered up. He said:
“We got information that the young person belonged to a rich family and a strong tribe. They asked the police to cover up the incident. A neighbour witnessed the killing and complained to the police. The police told the family who the “denouncing” neighbour was. This kind of things is frightening us.”
(08/164) Explosion in Mardin Province…
On 30 August 2012 a mine exploded in Mardin province, Kızıltepe District near Şenyurt town while a group of people from Syria tried to pass there. One of them stepped on the mine resulting in the death of three people, two of them children and injuries of one child.
(08/165) Operations and clashes in South-east…
The director if the Union Bringing Services to Village, Ubeydullah Sancar, who had been abducted by HPG militants in Uygur Village of Kulp District of Diyarbakır Province on 17 August 2012, was released on 30 August 2012.
(08/166) Operations and clashes in the South-east…
On 30 August 2012 HPG militants stopped the vehicle of Ali Nas on the road between Siirt-Eruh district to Şırnak and kidnapped him.
(08/167) Operations and clashes in the South-east…
As the result of a mine explosion near Kahramanmaraş-Pazarcık district, Akçalar village three soldiers were injured on 30 August 2012.
(08/168) Extra-judicial killing attempt in Siirt
On 29 August 2012 Ferhat Çağla (10) was injured in Belenoluk (Heşet) Village of Pervari district of Siirt province when soldiers from Belenoluk Gendarmerie Station fired at him.
(08/169) Coercion in prison…
Between 27 July 2011 and 30 August 2012 (402 days) the lawyers of PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan, Mazlum Dinç, Rezan Sarıca, Gülşen Özbek and Selvi Tunç from the Law Office of the Century repeatedly had come to the command of the gendarmerie in Gemlik (Bursa) but had not been allowed to go to the hight security prison on İmralı allegedly because the coaster was out of order.
(08/170) Coercion in prison…
On 30 August 2012 it was learned that Barış Şahbudak, staying at Tekirdağ F-type Prison was punished by 20 days isolation because he allegedly made propaganda for an illegal organization with the T-shirt he wore.
(08/171) Convicted juveniles…
On 29 August 2012 the final hearing was held in the trial of H.Ş. (17) and A.B. (16) accused of having stines at police officers during a demonstration in Akdeniz District of Mersin Province in 2012. Mersin Juvenile Court 1 heard the final defence of the juvenile and the summing up of the prosecutor and sentenced A.B. for having made propaganda for an illegal organization and conducted an action in the name of an illegal organization without being members of it, having violated Law 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations, having use explosives illegally and having damaged public property to 10 years’ imprisonment. On the same charges H.Ş. was sentenced to 24 years’ imprisonment.
(08/172) Home raids in Hakkâri Province…
On 30 August 2012 15 people were detained during parallel operations of police teams from the department to fight terrorism in Hakkari.
(08/173) Intervention to a stand in İstanbul Province…
Police teams interfered when members of the Revolutionary Youth/Devrimci Gençlik (Dev-Genç) opened a stand and detained four of them in Kadıköy district of İstanbul province on 29 August 2012.
(08/174) Detentions and arrests…
Mikail Barut, former staff member of the distribution company Fırat was detained in Diyarbakır on 27 August 2012. He was committed to Diyarbakır D-type Prison on the grounds that an arrest warrant existed against him in Istanbul.
(08/175) Intervention to a protest in Mersin Province…
Police teams interfered when members of the Freedom and Solidarity Party (ÖDP) attempted to march for the annulment of the education fees also for the second university degrees in Mersin Province on 30 August 2012 and detained 15 people.