MESOP DOCUMENTATION : HUMAN RIGHTS REPORT TURKEY
Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (HRFT/TIHV) – July 2014 – Daily Human Rights Report
(07/001) Şırnak’ta Extra-judicial Killing Attempt in Şırnak… H.B. (17) was shot at his cheek by soldiers on 1 July 2014 when s/he was fishing in Cizre district of Şınak nearby the Rojava border. H.B. was hospitalised, but lost his/her left eye.
(07/002) Explosion in Hakkari…
M.S. (7) died on 1 July 2014 in Şemdinli district of Hakkari when a material s/he found exploded.
(07/003) Person Beaten by the Police…
Murat Görler (33) made an official complaint against police officers for breaking one of his wrists on 22 June 2014 in Karabağlar district of İzmir. According to the news appeared on the press, the police wanted Murat Görler and his wife to leave a street where they went to see a fight. Upon a quarrel among them, police officers beat him and broke his wrist. He was given a medical report certifying that he was not able to work for 45 days. He also added that the police officers took minutes down alleging that he resisted security forces.
(07/004) Police Officers on Trial…
İzmir Peace Penal Court No 11 started on 1 July 2014 to hear the case against 3 police officers launched for beating a woman in İzmir on 2 June 2013 during Gezi Park demonstrations.
The police intervened the demonstrators on Gündoğdu Square on the day of incident. 3 officers attacked a woman sitting on seaside on Cordelio. When the video recordings of the incident were revealed, a court case was launched against the police officers for “misconduct of duty”.
The police officers İ.G. and M.K. testified at the hearing to the effect that the reason of their attitude was being on duty for almost 60 hours.
Since there is a possibility of transferring the cases at peace penal courts to penal courts of first instance, the court adjourned the examination of video CDs to the next hearing. The court also decided to hear the journalist who recorded the incident and other police officers who were on duty on the day of incident.
(07/005) Gezi Park Trials…
Aydın Peace Penal Court No 1 concluded on 30 June 2014 to hear the case launched against Cem Türkoğlu and Zafer Kasap for “insulting public officer”. The case was launched upon official complaint of Prime Minister’s lawyers for shouting “Erdoğan the Murderer” during Gezi Park demonstrations in Aydın on 6 June 2013.
After the final defence, the court acquitted the defendants on the grounds that there was sufficient factual foundation for shouting the slogan.
(07/006) Lawyer Acquitted…
Ankara Penal Court of Fİrst Instance No 21 concluded on 1 July 2014 to hear the case against Selçuk Kozağaçlı, Chair of Progressive Lawyers Association, launched for the press announcement he made on 19 December 2009 on the anniversary of Return to Life prisons’ operation. Kozağaçlı criticised the service medal presented to Ali Suat Ertosun who was the General Director of Prisons on the day of the operation. The indictment wanted Kozağaçlı to be sentenced for attacking Ertosun’s personal rights.
The court decided to reject the case and will announce the reason.
(07/007) Freedom of Expression…
Mudanya (Bursa) Peace Penal Court No 2 concluded on 30 June 2014 to hear the case against 28 persons launched for insulting the Prime Minister with the slogans shouted during the demonstration staged on 11 March 2014 to protest in the killing of Berkin Elvan. The indictment wanted the defendants to be sentenced under the Article 125 TPC.
The court sentenced the defendants to a fine of TL 7,080 for insulting public officer and suspended the sentences of 25 defendants.
(07/008) KCK/TM Main Case in Diyarbakır…
Diarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 2 decided on 1 July 2014 to release 30 remanded defendants including journalists and former mayors for exceeding the detention period to be tried without remand in the KCK/TM Main Trial in Diyarbakır. The case was launched after the operation conducted on 14 April 2009 in connection with a “KCK Investigation”.
175 persons are on trial in this case and the release demands of Abdullah Eflatun and Hasan Hüseyin were rejected.
(07/009) Person Convicted…
Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 7 concluded on 1 July 2014 to hear the case against Çekdar Ödüngit (19) launched for hauling down the Turkish flag during BDP Youth Assembly Congress held in Diyarbakır in 2013.
After the Public Prosecutor’s opinion as to the accusations and final defence, the court sentenced the defendant to 14 years, 4 months and 15 days’ imprisonment for “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”, “insulting the symbols of the state”, committing crime in the name of an illegal organisation without being a member of the organisation”.
03 July 2014 Daily Human Rights Report
(07/010) Sarp Kuray Convicted…
Sarp Kuray had been sentenced to life sentence on charges of he is the founder and executive of 16 June Movement and he was put into Sincan (Ankara) F Type of Closed Prison on 5 February 2009. ECfHR sentenced Turkey to pay reparation on the grounds that Turkey had violation of fair trial.
Sarp Kuray demanded for retiral relying on the Article 311 of Criminal Procedures Code in accordance with the ECfHR. On 29 January 2013, İstanbul Heavy Penal Court No. 9 began to hear the case against Sarp Kuray again.
On 5 November 2013, İstanbul Heavy Penal Court No 9 sentenced Sarp Kuray to life imprisonment.
9th Penal Chamber at the Court of Cassation approved on 2 July 2014 the verdict against Sarp Kuray.
(07/011) Worker Deaths[5]…
Workers’ Health and Securty Assembly announced on 2 July 2014 that at least 141 workers died in June 2014 during work accidents and due to lack of security measures.
(07/012) Protesters on Trial…
On 3 January 2013, a protest action was staged in Ankara against the visit of Prime Minister to Middle East Technical University (METU) with 105 guards, 3600 police officers, 20 armoured vehicles and 8 vehicles on 18 December 2012 for the launch of the satellite Göktürk-II. The police intervened the students by using tear gas and water cannons.
After the incidents, a court case was launched against 11 students on charges of “committing crime in the name of an illegal organisation without being a member of the organisation”, “damaging public property”, “violating Law on Meetings and Demonstrations” and “resisting security forces”.
Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 2 continued on 2 July 2014 to hear the case and adjourned the hearing for the completion of deficient documents.
(07/013) Commemoration Intervened…
The police intervened the demonstrators on 2 July 2014 in Basmane Square in İzmir when they gathered to commemorate killing of 35 persons on 2 July 1993 in Sivas during Madımak Hotel Massacre. Cavit Uğur, HDP Co-Chair for İzmir, and 8 persons were detained under beatings.
(07/014) House Raids in Van…
The police conducted house raids on 2 July 2014 in Hacıbekir quarter of Van and detained T.Y. (17). The reason of the raids was not disclosed.
(07/015) House Rids in Siirt…
The police conducted house raids on 3 July 2014 in Siirt and detained 2 persons on the allegations of “violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations” and “being member of an illegal organisation”.
04-07 July 2014 Daily Human Rights Report
(07/016) Operations and Attacks in the Southeast…
HPG militant Şervan Koçer was reportedly killed on 2 July 2014 during an armed clash nearby Dirîşk (Sualtı) hamlet of Xaşkan (Esenyamaç) village in Başkale district of Van. According to the press announcement by the General Staff, the militant died due to a fire opened from the Iranian side of the border.
(07/017) Kumrular Explosion Case…
Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 8 continued on 1 July 2014 to hear the case against 15 persons including 5 remanded defendants launched in connection with the explosion on Kumrular Avenue in Ankara on 20 September 2011. The court decided for the continuation of the arrest of the remanded defendants and adjourned the hearing to a later date.
Five people were killed and 32 were wounded after the explosion of the bomb in a parked car in Kumrular Avenue. The attack was undertaken by the Kurdistan Freedom Falcons (TAK).
(07/018) Kulp Disappearances Case…
On 3 July 2014, Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 7 continued to hear the case launched in connection with the disappearances of 11 villagers after being detained on 9 October 1993 in Alacakaya village of Kulp district in Diyarbakır.
The case was transferred to Ankara upon demand of the defendant retired Major General Yavuz Ertürk’s lawyer for security reason. Yavuz Ertürk was Commander of Bolu 2nd Commando Brigade on the day of the incident and the Brigade was conducting operations in the region.
Yavuz Ertürk appeared at the hearing and testified to the effect that he followed the orders and did not commit any unlawful action.
The court ordered Yavuz Ertürk to be present at the next hearing, to ask the General Staff whether the operations were conducted in September and October 1993 in Şenyayla region, and the reports on the orders and conducted operations. The court adjourned the hearing to 21 October 2014.
(07/019) Ahmet Cömert Case…
Hatay Heavy Penal Court No 2 started on 4 July 2014 to hear the case concerning the killing of Ahmet Cömert (22) on 3 June 2013 in Hatay during Gezi Park demonstrations. He was shot at his head with a tear gas canister.
The report prepared by Forensic Institute certified that Abdullah Cömert died due to tear gas canister without suspicion. The indictment wants the police officer Ahmet Kuş who fired the canister to be sentenced to term of imprisonment up to 25 years.
After the first presentations of the lawyers, the court adjourned the hearing to 15 September 2014.
(07/020) Village Guard Attack in Mardin…
4 persons died and 27 persons were wounded when a village guard family attacked the members of another family on 4 July 2014 in Bafa (Kayadere) village of Ömerli district in Mardin before the night prayer. According to the news gathered, there was hostility among the families and there was a dispute among the members of the families earlier the day.
(07/021) Person Beaten by the Polcie…
Fadime Gülmez announced that gendarmerie soldiers detained her, her brother/sister and daughter under beatings during the hearing of her son Ali Gülmez’s trial on 1 July 2014 in Tekirdağ when they attempted to hug Ali Gülmez upon permission of the judges.
(07/022) Torture and Ill-treatment Trial…
İzmir Heavy Penal Court No 6 continued on 3 July 2014 to hear the case against 4 police officers and F.C. Though the decision of the court was expected at the hearing, the judges adjourned the hearing to 16 October 2014 on the grounds that they were dealing with the case by procuration.
During the last hearing, Public Prosecutor wanted 3 police officers to be sentenced to 13 months’ imprisonment, one police officer to be acquitted. The Public Prosecutor alleged that the torture incident recorded by the cameras was not torture on the grounds the police officers did not beat F.C. with the intention of torture but as a reply to the insults.
On 22 April 2014, İzmir Penal Court of First Instance No 9 concluded to hear the case against police commissioner Mustafa Dinçer and police officers Murat Kavlak and Ümit Sadioğlu launched on charges of “hiding evidences by using their authority”. The court sentenced the defendants to 3 months’ imprisonment, but suspended the sentences for 5 years.
On 16 July 2011, F.C. (37) was beaten and detained in İzmir for not having an ID. He was taken to Karabağlar Polcie Station and a civilian dressed police officer continued to beat him, he was also subjected to sexual assault. According to the recordings disclosed on 9 December 2011, the remaining police officer did not intervene the incident, but kept watching.
After the incident, the police officers made official complaint against F.C. for resisting and insulting public officers. A court case was launched against him on charges of “wounding police officer” and “insulting police officer” with the demand of 6.5 years’ imprisonment.
Though the recordings proved the torture, the indictment dating 28 November 2011 against the police officers T.D., N.A., H.Y. and B.S. only wanted them to be sentenced to terms of imprisonment up to 1,5 years for “simple wound within the limits of use of force”. During the trial the police officers were also accused of “threat” and the expected sentence increased to terms of imprisonment up to 6 years.
According to the expert’s report, the police commissioner Mustafa Dinçer and police officers Murat Kavlak and Ümit Sadioğlu tried to hide the recordings of beating. And the case was launched upon this report according to the article 281 TPC.
(07/023) Pressures in Prisons…
According to the news appeared on the press on 4 July 2014, the prisoner Civan Boltan (21) who is one-eyed and one-armed, and was transferred to Ankara for medical treatment form Diyarbakır D-type Prison was beaten by the guards when he came back from hospital to Sincan F-type Prison for objecting naked search.
(07/024) Pressures in Prisons…
According to the news appeared on the press on 4 July 2014, 17 prisoners incarcerated in Kırıklar (İzmir) F-type Prison No 2 were given 10 days’ solitary confinement for protesting instalment of cameras to the places where the prisoners go out for fresh air.
(07/025) Freedom of Expression…
Bursa Peace Penal Court No 4 continued on 3 July 2014 to hear the retrial of 4unionist. The case was launched on charges of insulting public officer according to the Article 125 TPC for using the expression “Tayyip the Bulb” during a demonstration in 2008 in Bursa. The court acquitted the defendants on the grounds that the expression was within the limits of criticism. During the first trial the defendants were sentenced to 11 months and 20 days’ imprisonment, but the verdict was quashed by the Court of Cassation.
(07/026) Gezi Park Trials…
According to the news appeared on the press, a court case was launched against 18 persons in connection with the Gezi Park demonstrations in Kuşadası on 2 June 2013. The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations. Kuşadası (Aydın) Penal Court of First Instance No 2 will start to hear the case on 15 July 2014.
(07/027) Demonstration Intervened in Van…
The police intervened the demonstration staged in Van on 4 July 2014 to protest in the killing of a HPG militant during an armed clash nearby Dirîşk hamlet n in Başkale district of Van. 5 persons were wounded and 12 persons were detained during the intervention.
(07/028) Protesters Attacked in Ankara…
The police intervened by using tear gas and truncheon the crowd who wanted to stage a demonstration on 4 July 2014 in Tuzluçayır quarter of Ankara to protest in the cancelation of buses to the quarter by the municipality. 7 persons were detained under beatings.
The protests continued the next day; the police intervened and detained 8 persons under beatings.
(07/029) Political Party Members Detained in Ankara…
3 members of the Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP) were detained on 6 July 2014 in Batıkent quarter of Ankara when they were putting up posters saying “freedom to Hasan Polat”.
(07/030) KCK Trial in Şanlıurfa…
On 3 July 2014, Şanlıurfa Heavy Penal Court No 3 continued to hear the case against 27 persons including 7 remanded defendants launched on charges of “being members of KCK Youth Organisation”.
The case was launched after the operations conducted on 24 May 2011 in connection with a KCK investigation.
After the testimonies of the defendants and defence of the lawyers, the court decided to release all the defendants to be tried without remand and adjourned the hearing to a later date.
(07/031) House Raids in Siirt…
Abdullah Asus (18) who was among 2 persons who were detained during house raids on 3 July 2014 in Siirt on the allegations of “violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations” and “being member of an illegal organisation” was arrested the same day.
(07/032) Persons Abducted in Hakkari…
According to the news appeared on the press, 3 persons including 2 retired village guards were abducted on 4 July 2014 by HPG militants nearby Tanyolu hamlet of Şemdinli district in Hakkari.
08 July 2014 Daily Human Rights Report
(07/033) Ethem Sarısülük Case…
Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 6 continued on 7 July 2014 to hear the case against police officer Ahmet Şahbaz launched in connection with the killing of Ethem Sarısülük on 1 June 2013 during Gezi Park demonstrations in Ankara.
Public Prosecutor demanded the defendant to be sentenced for “killing someone with possible intention” and asked the court to arrest Ahmet Şahbaz. The court decided to arrest Ahmet Şahbaz. The court adjourned the hearing to 3 September 2014 for further defence of the defendant on the grounds he was accused of using a weapon given for public service in committing crime according to the Article 266 TPC which wants a term of imprisonment up to 25 years.
In this trial, the court first rejected the indictment on the grounds there was no official permission for the trail of the police officer. But the Public Prosecutor objected the decision on the grounds that “killing was not among the duties and responsibilities of the police officers”. Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 7 accepted the objection of the Public Prosecutor on 19 July 2014 and suspended the decision not to try police officer.
(07/034) Return to Life Prisons’ Operation…
On 19 December 2000 the “Return to Life Operation” had been conducted in 20 prisons resulting in the killing of 32 people. In connection with the death of seven prisoners in Ümraniye Prison (Istanbul) 399 prisoners had been indicted with staging an uprising against the administration, possession of explosives and injuring people.
Anadolu (İstanbul) Heavy Penal Court No 5 continued on 7 July 2014 to hear the case. The court took the demands of the defence lawyers and adjourned the hearing asking that the defendants be present to make their final statements.
(07/035) KCK Trial in İstanbul…
İstanbul Heavy Penal Court No 20 continued on 7 July 2014 to hear the case against 13 persons including 5 remanded defendants launched after the explosion of a blast bomb in a toilet in Law School of İstanbul University. 2 students and one a worker were wounded during the incident.
The case was launched on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”, “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”, “wounding on purpose” and “possessing explosives”. The indictment wants the defendants Emel Çetin and Raziye Ay to be sentenced to life imprisonment for organising a bomb attack. The remaining defendants are accused of involving a fight with rightist students on 4 June 2012.
The defendants testified in Kurdish. The court decided to release all the defendants to be tried without remand and adjourned the hearing to 23 January 2015.
(07/036) KCK/TM Main Trial in Diyarbakır…
Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 2 continued on 7 July 2014 to hear the case against 175 persons including 2 remanded defendants launched after an operation conducted in 2009. The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for founding the “Koma Ciwaken Kurdistan-Kurdistan Union of Communities/Turkish Aseembly (KCK/TM)” and acting in the name of the organisation.
After the presentation of additional evidences, the court rejected the demand of the defendants’ lawyers to suspend the trial relying on the mispleading procedures in the case. The court also denied the demand not to register tappings as evidence and adjourned the hearing to later date
(07/037) KCK Trial in Şırnak…
6th Penal Chamber at the Court of Cassation quashed on 7 July 2014 the verdict against Aziz Kutlu, Turan Fidan, Abdulaziz Bulut, Ali Ertuğrul, Saim Basan, Burhan Tekinalp, Hurşit Külter, Abdurrahman Çakır, Beşir Katar and Yahya İdin. Diyarbakır Penal Court No 6 sentenced the defendants to 37 defendants to various terms of imprisonment in a KCK trial launched after a KCK investigation conducted in 2009 in Şırnak.
10 defendants were released after the decision of the Court of Cassation. 6th Penal Chamber announced that the decision concerning remaining 27 defendants will be given on 9 July 2014.
(07/038) Detentions and Arrests…
The police detained 3 persons making music on İstiklal Avenue in İstanbul on 7 July 2014 on the grounds that it was forbidden to sing in Kurdish on İstiklal Avenue.
09 July 2014 Daily Human Rights Report
(07/039) Non-prosecution Decision related to Roboskî Massacre…
On 8 July 2014, the investigation against Chef of the Turkish General Staff Full General Necdet Özel was concluded with the decision of non-prosecution. The investigation was started after the official complaint by the families of 34 persons, who were killed on 28 December 2011 in Roboski village in Uludere district of Şırnak, on the allegations of “violating the confidentiality of the investigation” and “influencing the judiciary” by saying “there were terrorists among the killed persons”.
Public Prosecutor in Ankara decided for dismissal of charges relying on the lack of grounds for legal action.
(07/040) Human Rights Defenders Threatened and Assaulted…
Human Rights Association branch in Hakkari announced on 8 July 2014 that HRA members and representatives in Yüksekova district who were continuing an action for finding the perpetrators of the killings by unidentified assailants for the last 14 weeks were threatened by persons who introduced themselves as JİTEM (gendarmerie intelligence) members.
(07/041) Conditions of Prisoners…
According to the news appeared on the press, Abdullah Kalay incarcerated in Kandıra (Kocaeli) F-type Prison was given on 4 July 2014 once again a medical report by the Forensic Department in Kocaeli Univesity certifying that he should be released.
Kandıra (Kocaeli) had a heart attack in prison and he is suffering from Wernicke-Korsakoff. He was given a medical report previously, but Forensic Institute prepared a report certifying that the medical treatment of Kalay can be continued in the prison.
(07/042) Former Mayor on Trial…
According to the news appeared on the press on 8 July 2014, a court case was launched against former Diyarbakır Mayor Osman Baydemir for press announcement he made on 18 June 2012 in front of Van M-type Prison for the arrests of mayors in the region in connection with a KCK investigation. The indictment wants Baydemir to be sentenced for insulting Prime Minister according to the Article 125 TPC.
Van Peace Penal Court No 1 will start to hear the case on 10 July 2014.
(07/043) DHKP/C Trial in Malatya…
According to the news appeared on the press on 8 July 2014, Malatya Heavy Penal Court No 2 continued to hear the case against 9 members of union for public servants KESK launched after the operations conducted in 28 provinces on 13 February 2013 in connection with a DHKP-C (Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party-Front) investigation.
The Public Prosecutor stressed that some of the evidences were collected illegally and demanded the existing evidences to be sorted out and to replace with new evidences if any exists in order not to continue the trial with prejudices.
The court followed the demand of the Public Prosecutor and gave the case file back to the Prosecutor to sort out the illegally collected evidences. The court adjourned the hearing to 6 November 2014.
(07/044) DHKP/C Trial n İstanbul…
İstanbul Heavy Penal Court No 3 started on 8 July 2014 to hear the case against 56 members of union for public servants KESK launched after the operations conducted in 28 provinces on 13 February 2013 in connection with a DHKP-C (Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party-Front) investigation.
The court adjourned the hearing to 15 October 2014 to evaluate the demand of the lawyers of the defendants for restart the trial and for consideration of the evidences.
(07/045) House Raids in Antalya…
The police conducted house raids on 8 July 2014 in Antalya and detained İlke Başak Baydar, Chair for Socialist Youth Associations Federation. The reason of the raid was not disclosed.
10 July 2014 Daily Human Rights Report
(07/046) Death in Prison…
Ferhat Diri incarcerated in Silivri (İstanbul) Prison No 6 and suffering from tuberculosis died on 8 July 2014.
(07/047) Death in Prison…
Ali Uçkun (28) who was shot at his leg when he wanted to haul down the flag in the garden of Gaziosmanpaşa Security Directorate in İstanbul on 28 June 2014 and arrested by the court committed suicide by hanging himself on 7 July 2014 in Metris T-type Prison.
His brother Saadettin Coşkun announced that they don’t believe the suicide and asked for the camera recordings.
(07/048) Musa Anter Case…
Because of the abolishment of specially authorised courts, Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 2 started to hear the case against 4 persons launched in connection with killing Musa Anter.
The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced to life imprisonment and also 20 years’ imprisonment. After the presentation of the lawyers, the court rejected the demands to hear the the testimonies of the eyewitnesses at the court and also the arrest of Savaş Gevrekçi. The court adjourned the hearing to 10 October 2014.
Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecution Office launched an indictment against 4 people -including Hamit Yıldırım- reported on 27 June 2013. The indictment was sent to Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No. 7 in order to be evaluated and the prosecutor asked for life sentence in solitary confinement and with no possibility of parole to 20 years of imprisonment for the defendants Hamit Yıldırım, Mahmut Yıldırım, Abdülkadir Aygan and retired colonel Savaş Gevrekçi. The court had accepted the indictment on 5 July 2013.
Hamit Yıldırım denied all accusations in his interrogation in court. The court cited strong suspicion of offense in its arrest ruling. Anter was killed in an armed attack in 1992. The prime suspect, Yıldırım, was photographed recently for the first time in Şırnak by daily Sabah. The murder case, which would have been dropped in three months due to the statute of limitations, has been extended for 10 more years due to the new development.
Hamit Yıldırım, a member of Gendarmerie Intelligence and Fighting with Terrorism Department (JITEM), was arrested by Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No. 7 on 2 July 2012.
(07/049) Torture and Ill-treatment in Custody…
According to the news appeared on the press, Faik Hamarat was detained when he was waiting for bus in Kızılay quarter of Ankara by the police on 9 July 2014 during police intervention against the protest action against cancelation of several bus routes in Ankara. He was reportedly taken in the garden of a building on Selanik street and beaten there with truncheons, riot shields and tear gas riffle butts. He was detained afterwards.
(07/050) Public Servant Beaten in Konya…
The teacher Mehmet Uçar made an official complaint against 5 police officers on the grounds they beat him on 5 July 2014 when he asked civilian dressed police officers for official ID when they wanted to ID check while he was waiting for his wife on the sidewalk.
(07/051) Violence in Care Centre…
Camera recordings of physical violence against disabled and elderly persons in a private care centre in Alaplı district of Zonguldak were revealed on 9 July 2014.
12 persons including the owner and the workers were arrested.
(07/052) Condition of Prisoners…
According to the news appeared on the press on 24 June 2014, Şehmus Yetek (65) incarcerated in Midyat (Mardin) E-type Prison and was not examined and treated despite his applications for medical treatment was reportedly taken to Ankara Numune Hospital. He was given a medical report certifying that he was patient with terminal cancer.
On 9 July 2014, his family announced that Şehmus Yeltek lost his consciousness. Forensic Institute also gave the same day a medical report certifying that his sentence should be suspended. After the report, he was taken from the prisoners’ ward and transferred to oncology service.
(07/053) Return to Life Operation…
On 19 December 2000 the “Return to Life Operation” had been conducted in 20 prisons resulting in the killing of 32 people. Bakırköy (İstanbul) Heavy Penal Court No 13 continued on 9 July 2014 to hear the case against 39 privates launched in connection with the death of 12 prisoners in Bayrampaşa Prison (Istanbul).
After the demands of the lawyers, the court decided the address of Zeki Bingöl, who was the gendarmerie commander during the operation, to be determined and adjourned the hearing 9 December 2014.
(07/054) Demonstrators on Trial…
Aydın Heavy Penal Court No 3 started on 9 July 2014 to hear the case against 22 students at the University of Adnan Menderes launched for the slogans during 1 May celebrations in Aydın. The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.
After the identification and testimonies of the defendants, the court adjourned the hearing 22 October 2014 for the completion of identification.
(07/055) Demonstrators Convicted…
İzmir Penal Court of First Instance No 19 concluded on 9 July 2014 to hear the case against 13 persons launched for the demonstration they staged on 28 October 2012 in İzmir to support the hunger strike of prisoners convicted in PKK cases.
After the final defence, the court sentenced the defendant Hacay Yımaz to 18 months’ imprisonment and remaining 12 defendants to 15 months’ imprisonment for “violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations”.
11 July 2014 Daily Human Rights Report
(07/056) Attacker Sentenced to Fine…
Çağlayan (İstanbul) Peace Penal Court No 27 concluded on 10 July 2014 to hear the case against the shop owner Sabri Çelik launched after he attacked a civilian female with a matchet during police intervention to the demonstrators on 6 July 2013 on İstiklal Avenue and Taksim Square.
The indictment wanted him to be sentenced for intentional wounding. The court ruled that Sabri Çelik wounded E.Y. intentionally but the attack did not endanger her life. The court sentenced the defendant to 40 days of punitive fine which equals to TL 9,000. The sentence was not suspended.
(07/057) Person Beaten by the Police in Zonguldak…
Police officers used tear gas against the ambulance driver Orhan Özdemir (23) when he had a dispute with a traffic police on 10 July 2014.Acccording to the news appeared on the press, Orhan Özdemir was beaten and detained being handcuffed from behind.
His shoulder and one finger were dislocated during the intervention. Orhan Özdemir was given a medical report certifying his inability to work for 10 days. On the other hand, the police took a statement down alleging that Orhan Özdemir resisted security forces.
(07/058) Person Beaten by the Soldiers in Antalya…
According to the news appeared on the press on 10 July 2014, Ramazan Günevi (21) who was detained by the gendarmerie on 26 June 2014 after a traffic accident in Alanya district of Antalya was beaten in the gendarmerie station till he fainted.
He was reportedly migrated to Antalya to find a job. He was allegedly mentally instable and transferred to Manisa Mental Facility. He was taken in intensive care unit for having hydrothorax and renal failure.
(07/059) Non-prosecution Decision for Police Violence…
On 4 December 2010, a demonstration was staged in front of Prime Minister’s Office in Dolmabahçe Palace during his meeting with the rectors of the universities. The police attacked the demonstrators and E.Ö. was kicked on the ground by the police. She was hospitalised and stayed in hospital for 3 days. She also had a miscarriage due to the kicks.
According to the news appeared on the press on 11 July 2014, Public Prosecutor in İstabul decided not to prosecute the police officers after 4 years relying on the Forensic Institute report certifying that the incident did not lead to miscarriage.
(07/060) House Raids in Bursa…
The police conducted house raids in Bursa against the houses of members of Bursa Anarchist Carnival allegedly because they organised the demonstration in Bursa to protests in the death of 301 workers in a coal mine in Soma. 3 persons were detained during the house raids.
(07/061) Workers Demonstration Prevented…
The police intervened the workers who wanted to march to Van Governorate on 10 July 2014 and dispersed the crowd by using tear gas, water cannons and plastic bullets. One person was reportedly wounded with plastic bullets. The workers were contracted by Turkish Employment Agency after the earthquakes on 23 October and 9 November 2011. But the contracts were revoked recently.
(07/062) 3. KCK/TM Main Trial in İstanbul…
After the abolishment of specially authorised courts, İstanbul Heavy Penal Court No 3 started on 10 July 2014 to hear the case against 46 journalists and correspondents launched after the operation conducted on 20 December 2011 against the premises of Dicle News Agency in connection with a KCK investigation.
The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “being member of an illegal organisation” and “being leading member of an illegal organisation”. Defence lawyers demanded all the legal proceedings of specially authorised court to be ineffective and asked the court to revaluate the evidences.
The court asked the defence lawyers to present the reasons of the demands in written in 2 months, suspended the ban on going abroad and adjourned the hearing to 5 November 2014.
(07/063) Detentions and Arrests…
4 persons who were among 7 persons detained during police operations on 9 July 2014 in Kızıltepe district of Mardin were arrested on 10 July 2014 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.
12-14 July 2014 Daily Human Rights Report
(07/064) Death in Prison…
Şehmus Yetek (65) who was released on 9 July 2014 upon a medical report by the Forensic Institute died on 13 July 2014 in Ankara Numune Hospital.
Şehmus Yetek (65) was incarcerated in Midyat (Mardin) E-type Prison and was not examined and treated despite his applications for medical treatment. He was reportedly taken to Ankara Numune Hospital in June 2014. He was given a medical report certifying that he was patient with terminal cancer.
On 9 July 2014, his family announced that Şehmus Yeltek lost his consciousness. Forensic Institute also gave the same day a medical report certifying that his sentence should be suspended. After the report, he was taken from the prisoners’ ward and transferred to oncology service.
(07/065) Killings by Unidentified Assailants…
Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 1 continued on 11 July 2014 to hear the case against 19 persons including Mahmut Yıldırım aka Yeşil, Mehmet Ağar and Korkut Eken launched for the 18 killings by unidentified assailants in 1990s.
Mehmet Ağar was not present at the hearing. the court accepted the medical report presented by Mehmet Ağar and exempted Mehmet Ağar from the hearings. Ayhan Çarkın testified at the hearing, the court decided to release Ayhan Çarkın and adjourned the hearing to 17 October 2014.
The defendants were indicted for the killings of Namık Erdoğan, Metin Vural, Recep Kuzucu, Behçet Cantürk, Savaş Buldan, Haci Karay, Adnan Yıldırım, İsmail Karaalioğlu, Yusuf Ekinci, Ömer Lutfi Topal, Hikmet Babataş, Medet Serhat, Feyzi Aslan, Lazem Esmaeılı, Asker Smıtko, Tarık Ümit, Salih Aslan, Abdülmecit Baskın and Faik Candan.
Mehmet Ağar, İbrahim Şahin, Korkut Eken, Ayhan Çarkın, Ayhan Akça, Ziya Bandırmalıoğlu, Ercan Ersoy, Ahmet Demirel, Ayhan Özkan, Seyfettin Lap, Enver Ulu, Uğur Şahin, Alper Tekdemir, Yusuf Yüksel, Abbas Semih Sueri, Lokman Külünk, Mahmut Yıldırım, Nurettin Güven, Muhsin Korman are on trial in this case.
(07/066) Torture and Ill-treatment in Custody…
According to the news appeared on the press on 12 July 2014, Şaban Tunca (35) and his brother Fikret (Halil) Tunca (28) were beaten by the police Security Directorate in Derinkuyu district of Nevşehir after being detained for a dispute for being ticketed for exceeding the load limits.
Şaban Tunca had cerebral haemorrhage and was taken in intensive care unit. After the news, 3 police officers were suspended from duty.
The officials announced that Şaban Tunca fell down the stairs.
(07/067) Person Beaten by the Guards of the Prime Minister…
Lawyer Fatih Abdullah Öztürk made an official complaint on 12 July 2014 against the guards of Prime Ministers who beat him on the allegations of insulting Prime Minister when the convoy of Prime Minister was passing Üsküdar district in İstanbul on 4 July 2014.
(07/068) Person Beaten by the Police in Dİyarbakır…
The police reportedly beat Ramazan Dinç, his wife Emanet Dinç and his brother Muharrem Dinç on 12 July 2014 when the police involved a dispute between 2 vehicles in Kayapınar district of Diyarbakır. 2 brothers were handcuffed and detained eventually.
(07/069) Pressures in Prisons…
Hacı Yay, father of Abdullah Yay incarcerated in Şırnak T-type Prison, announced on 11 July 2014 that his son was subjected to torture in the prison and he had hemiplegia.
(07/070) Condition of Prisoners…
According to the news appeared on the press on 11 July 2014, Faysal Yaşan, incarcerated in Kırıklar (İzmir) F-type Prison and suffering from 14 different illnesses, was reportedly given a medical report certifying that he can serve his sentence in the prison.
(07/071) Condition of Prisoners…
The release demand of Fikret Güzelaydın, incarcerated in Erzurum H-type Prison and suffering from 12 different illnesses including brain tumour, was reportedly rejected according to the news appeared on the press on 11 July 2014.
(07/072) Freedom of Expression…
According to the news appeared on the press on 11 July 2014, Bursa Peace Penal Court No 14 concluded to hear the retrial of 5 persons. The case was launched on charges of insulting public officer according to the Article 125 TPC for using the expression “Tayyip the Bulb” during a demonstration in 2008 in Bursa. The court acquitted the defendants. During the first trial the defendants were sentenced to 11 months and 20 days’ imprisonment, but the verdict was quashed by the Court of Cassation.
(07/073) Detentions and Arrests…
According to the news appeared on the press on 11 July 2014, Hasan Aşa (44) who is suffering from renal failure and needs dialysing 3 times a week, was arrested after the Court of Cassation confirmed the sentence he was given for “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.
(07/074) Gezi Park Trials…
Eskişehir Penal Court of First Instance No 3 concluded on 10 July 2014 to hear the case against Erdal Şanlı, Mayor for Han district of Eskişehir, launched after the Gezi Park demonstrations staged in Han district. The indictment wants the defendant to be sentenced for insulting the Prime Minister with placards carried during the demonstration under the articles 125 and 216 TPC.
After the Public Prosecutor’s opinion as to the accusations and the final defence, the court acquitted the defendant.
(07/075) Protest Intervened…
The police intervened 20 persons on 11 July 2014 on Taksim Square who wanted to stage a demonstration to announce the court case concerning the killing of Hasan Ferit Gedik on 30 September 2013 during the armed attack by drug dealers against the members of People’s Front in Gülsuyu quarter of Maltepe district in İstanbul. The police detained the demonstrators under beatings, Doğan News Agency correspondent Zeki Ünal was also beaten during the incident.
(07/076) KCK/TM Main Trial in Diyarbakır…
Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 2 decided to release the defendants Hasan Hüseyin Ebem and Abdullah Aflatun upon demand of their lawyers relying n the prolonged detention period. They were on trial in the KCK/TM main trial launched after the operations conducted on 14 April 2009 in Diyarbakır. There left no remanded defendants in this trial.
(07/077) Association Executive Arrested…
Erol Cengiz, Chair for Erciş branch of KURDÎ-DER, was arrested on 12 July 2014 in Van when he went to Van F-type Prison to visit a prisoner. He was arrested on the grounds that the sentence he was given in a court case for “committing crime in the name of an illegal organisation without being a member of the organisation” was confirmed by the Court of Cassation.
15 July 2014 Daily Human Rights Report
(07/078) Ali İsmail Korkmaz Case…
On 14 July 2014, Kayseri Heavy Penal Court No 3 continued to hear the case against 5 persons (all remanded) and 3 police officers without remand on charges of killing Ali İsmail Korkmaz (19). During the Gezi Park demonstrations in Eskişehir on 3 June 2013, Ali İsmail Korkmaz was beaten with sticks by unidentified persons when he was escaping from police violence. He died one month later on 10 July 2013.
The case was transferred to Kayseri from Eskişehir for security reasons. All the defendants and eyewitnesses were present at the hearing. Technical expert reports, forensic report of Ali İsmail Korkmaz, radio conversation recordings among defendants, eyewitnesses’ testimonies were read at the hearing.
After 12 hours of hearing, the court decided to the continuation of the confinement of the remanded defendants and rejected arrest demand for remaining defendants. The court adjourned the hearing to 9 October 2014.
(07/079) Torture Decision by the Court of Cassation…
According to the news appeared on the press on 12 July 2014, 8th Penal Chamber at the Court of Cassation quashed the verdict against 3 police officers. The case against the police officers was launched after they beat M.B. on 17 July 2008 in Beyoğlu district of Beyoğlu. M.B. was first beaten with truncheons on Dolapdere Avenue and then in the police vehicle after being handcuffed. The police officers were sentenced for “wounding and restricting freedom”.
The Penal Chamber quashed the verdict on the grounds that the police officers Muhammed Gişi, Alper Yüksel and Murat Ponçaklı should have been sentenced for torture.
İstanbul Heavy Penal Court No 19 sentenced the defendants on 29 December 2011 to 20 months’ imprisonment and suspended the execution of the sentences. The police officer İsmail Yılmaz was acquitted. 8th Penal Chamber quashed the verdict on 6 March 2014.
(07/080) Death in Prison…
Bayram Ergen (42) incarcerated in Fethiye (Muğla) T-type Prison allegedly hanged himself and died on 13 July 2014.
(07/081) Gezi Park Trials…
İzmir Peace Penal Court No 1 continued on 14 July 2014 to hear the case against 29 persons launched on charges of “inciting people to civil unrest through social media” under the Article 216 of TPC. The defendants were detained during the Gezi Park demonstrations in İzmir for informing people about the developments through social media. But they were released afterwards.
The court decided to be not responsible with the case on the grounds that peace penal courts were abolished with recent legal amendments. The court adjourned the hearing to 22 September 2014 so that the Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors can decide on the issue.
(07/082) MLKP Trial…
After the abolishment of specially authorised courts, İstanbul Heavy Penal Court continued on 14 July 2014 to hear the case against 12 persons launched after the operations conducted on 21 June 2012 against Socialist Party of the Oppressed and the newspaper Atılım in connection with a MLKP (Marxists-Leninist Communist Party) operation. Ersin Sedefoğlu, Görgü Demirpençe, Gökben Keskin, Özlem Cihan, Fırat Şeran, Ali Haydar Keleş and Ali Gülmez were remanded in this case.
The court decided to release the defendants to be tried without remand and adjourned the hearing.
16 July 2014 Daily Human Rights Report
(07/083) Çağdaş Gemik Case…
On 27 October 2008 the police officer Mehmet Ergün (34) had killed Çağdaş Gemik (18) in Antalya, reportedly because he did not listen to stop warning. On 20 August 2009 Antalya Penal Court 3 had sentenced Mehmet Ergün to 16 years and 8 months’ imprisonment under Article 21/2 TPC for “possible intentional killing”. The first chamber of the Court of Cassation had quashed the sentence for having applied the wrong provision.
On 19 April 2011 the court in Antalya, however, had insisted on the original sentence. On 5 June 2012 the assembly of chambers in the Court of Cassation quashed the sentence again.
On 4 December 2012, the court sentenced the defendant lowest term of imprisonment relying on the “the way the crime committed, the method and the weapon of the crime”. The defendant was sentenced to 12 years’ imprisonment, but the court reduced the sentence to 10 years for good conduct of the defendant during the trial. The defendant was released with respect to the period of arrest during the trial.
On 1st Penal Chamber at the Court of Cassation quashed the sentence again on the grounds that the defendants must have been sentenced to the highest term of imprisonment (16 years) under the Article 87 TPC. The Chamber ruled that there was no need to use arms on the grounds that Gemik did not have any intention to resist or escape, there was possibility to find the ID and address of Gemik, there was possibility to find to stop Gemik through radio communication.
Antalya Penal Court of First Instance No 3 concluded on 15 July 2014 to hear the case and sentenced the defendant Mehmet Ergün to 16 years’ imprisonment under the Article 87 TPC for “reckless injury”. The court reduced the sentence to 13 years and 4 months relying on judicial discrection.
(07/084) Impunity in Ahmed Yıldırım Case…
Adana Heavy Penal Court No 5 concluded to hear the retrial of the case against police officer Suat Bayrakçı (46) launched for shooting Ahmed Yıldırım (20) on 9 November 2008 in Adana. The court sentenced the defendant to punitive fine of TL 7,500 for “reckless injury”. The sentence will be paid in 12installments.
On 9 November 2008, the police opened fire against Ahmed Yıldırım and his friends on the grounds they did not obey stop warning. They allegedly tried to steal motorbike of police officer M.Y. Ahmed Yıldırım was shot from behind and paralysed.
During the first trial, the court sentenced on 10 July 2012 Suat Bayrakçı to 10 years’ imprisonment, but the Court of Cassation quashed the verdict on 18 March 2014 on the grounds the sentence should have been reduced for “incitement”.
(07/085) Non-prosecution for Beating by the Police…
Public Prosecutor in Diyarbakır decided not to prosecute a gendarmerie soldier for beating a defendant at hearing of a case. On 26 July 2012, the soldier beat a remanded defendant at the hearing of a case against 12 persons in Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 4. The investigation was started when the judges recorded the incident and made an official complaint against the soldier. But non-prosecution decision was taken relying on the testimony of the accused solder.
(07/086) Persons Beaten by the Police in Konya…
Police officer Ö.S.Ö. beat his neighbour Musa Altınok with truncheon on 14 July 2014 in Konya. They reportedly had issues previously. Ö.S.Ö. also stabbed Musa Altınok’s wife and daughter when they wanted to intervene. According to the news appeared on the press, police officers who came to the place of incident also wounded another person who was a visitor at Musa Altınok’ house.
(07/087) Condition of Prisoners…
Hüseyin Zeytin (59) incarcerated in Erzurum H-type Prison and suffering from colon cancer was released at the hearing of the case he was on trial on charges of “aiding an illegal organisation” at Malatya Heavy Penal Court No 3 on 15 July 2014.
(07/088) Demonstrators Acquitted…
After the abolishment of the specially authorised courts, Mersin Heavy Penal Court No 1 concluded on 16 July 2014 to hear the case against 17 members of union in public sector KESK launched after the operations conducted in Mersin and Hatay on 19 February 2013 in connection with a DHKP/C investigation.
The defendants were on trial for attending demonstrations and activities. The court ruled that the defendants enjoyed their constitutional rights and attending such demonstrations or activities cannot be regarded as illegal. The court acquitted the defendants.
(07/089) KCK Trial in Şırnak…
After the abolishment of the specially authorised courts, Şırnak Heavy Penal Court No 1 continued on 15 July 2014 to hear the case against 68 persons including 23 remanded defendants launched after the operations conducted in Şırnak its districts in 2011 in connection with a KCK investigation.
The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “being member of an illegal organisation”, “leading an illegal organisation by organising activities in the name of the organisation” and “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”. After the presentation of new evidences, the court decided to release all the defendants to be tried without remand and adjourned the hearing.
17 July 2014 Daily Human Rights Report
(07/090) Extra-judicial Killing in Erzurum…
A police officer hit with his car a cow and killed on 16 July 2014 in Palandöken district of Erzurum Furkan Çavuş (16) and his brother were bringing the cattle from pasture when the incident happened. The police officer was not on duty and he shot both brothers when they had a dispute after the incident.
Furkan Çavuş died in Yakutiye Training and Research Hospital early in the morning on 17 July 2014.
(07/091) Extra-judicial Killing Attempt in Antalya…
Cengiz Önkol (19) was shot at his leg by the police on 16 July 2014 in Muratpaşa district of Antalya allegedly when he wanted to haul down the flag in the garden of a police station.
(07/092) Mass Grave Case…
Çatak Civil Court of Peace continued on 16 July 2014 to hear the case launched with the demand of opening the mass grave of 27 PKK militants who had been killed during an armed clash on 12 October 1998 nearby Çatak district of Van. The bodies of the militants were not given to their families but buried in a mass grave nearby Govkan (Badirgalı) village.
The court ruled for a scene investigation on 21 August 2014 with the presence of forensic specialist Ümit Biçer and adjourned the hearing to 5 November 2014.
(07/093) Persons Beaten by the Soldiers…
Kurdish artist Seyda Perinçek and Serhad, member of music group Koma Çarneva, were beaten by the soldiers on 16 July 2014 when they wanted to pass the border to Rojava to protest in the armed attacks of Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS) in the region.
(07/094) Condition of Prisoners…
According to the news appeared on the press on 16 July 2014, the release demand of Abdülkadir Fırat (65), incarcerated in Tekirdağ F-type Prison No 1 and 95% paralysed, was rejected relying on medical report alleging that he can serve his sentence.
(07/095) Pressures in Prisons…
According to the news appeared on the press on 16 July 2014, Edip Tarhan and Canip Tarhan brothers, incarcerated in Edirne F-type Prison, were reportedly beaten by soldiers when they wanted to go back to the prison from the court house with the same transfer vehicle on the grounds that they don’t have the opportunity to see each other in the prison. The prisoner Yusuf Arslan was also beaten during the incident.
(07/096) Freedom of Expression…
Kırklareli Peace Penal Court No 1 concluded on 16 July 2014 to hear the case against Çiçek Güçlü and Deniz Gülşen launched for the placard they opened during the visit of Prime Minister to Kırklareli saying “Thief in Town”. The court sentenced each defendant to TL 7,080 for “insulting public officer”.
(07/097) Freedom of Expression…
According to the news appeared on the press on 16 July 2014, a court case was launched against Musa Kart, caricaturist with the daily Cumhuriyet, on the allegations of “insulting the Prime Minister” with a cartoon with a caricature published on the paper on 1 February 2014.
The indictment wants Musa Kart to be sentenced according to the Article 125 TPC and İstanbul Penal Court of First Instance No 2 will start to hear the case on 23 October 2014.
(07/098) Gezi Park Trials…
Muğla Penal Court of First Instance No 2 concluded on 15 July 2014 to hear the case against 55 persons launched on charges of “violating Law on Demonstrations and Meetings” by attending Gezi Park demonstrations in Bodrum district of Muğla.
The court acquitted 22 defendants. The case against 33 defendants was separated and the court adjourned the hearing for final decision.
(07/099) Gezi Park Trials…
İzmir Juvenile Court No 5 concluded on 16 July 2014 to hear the case against 24 children launched on charges of “damaging public property”, “resisting security forces”, “violating Law on Demonstrations and Meetings” by attending Gezi Park demonstrations in İzmir.
The court acquitted 23 children; N.N.Y. was sentenced to 18 months’ imprisonment for “resisting security forces”. The court suspended the sentence.
18 July 2014 Daily Human Rights Report
(07/100) Hrant Dink Case…
After the abolishment of specially authorised courts, İstanbul Heavy Penal Court No 5 continued on 17 July 2014 to hear the case against 18 persons launched in connection with killing of Hrant Dink. The defendants were acquitted during the first trial, but the Court of Cassation quashed the verdict.
The court adjourned the hearing to 30 October 2014 on the grounds that the defendants were not present at the hearing and the defendant Ahmet İskender was not captured to ask his objections on the decision of the Court of Cassation.
(07/101) Extra-judicial Killing Attempt in Van…
2 persons were wounded on 16 July 2014 in Van when soldiers opened fire against a car for not obeying stop warning on a check point.
(07/102) Torture in Custody Trial…
Mersin Heavy Penal Court No 1 started on 17 July 2014 to hear the case against 4 police officers for torturing D.Ö. (8) in custody on 11 September 2013. D.Ö. (8) was detained for having a fight with one of his friends in garden next to the Mersin Siteler Police Station.
The defendants Ömer Faruk Karataşlı, Beyazıt Daz, Hasan Karamık and Osman Deniz, and D.Ö.’s family testified at the hearing. The court rejected the arrest demand for Osman Deniz and adjourned the hearing to 24 October 2014 for the testimonies of the eyewitnesses.
(07/103) Protest Intervened in Diyarbakır…
The police intervened a demonstration staged on 17 July 2014 in Diyarbakır to protest in armed attacks by the ISIS in Rojava. The police dispersed the crowd by using tear gas and water cannons.
(07/104) Demonstrators on Trial…
According to the news appeared on the press on 17 July 2014, Bakırköy (İstanbul) Heavy Penal Court No 15 continued to hear the case against 6 persons launched in connection with the World Peace Day and Women’s Day demonstrations in 2011.
The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “being member of an illegal organisation”. After the testimonies of the defendants and demands of the defence lawyers, the court decided to release all 6 defendants to be tried without remand and adjourned the hearing to 30 October 2014.
(07/105) Persons on Trial…
Karakoçan (Elazığ) Penal Court of First Instance started on 17 July 2014 to hear the case against 8 persons including 7 remanded defendants on charges of “being member of an illegal organisation” and “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”. The case was launched after the house raids conducted on 15 June 2014 in Zelxidir (Sarıbaşak) of Karakoçan.
After the identification and testimonies of the defendants, the court decided to release Efrahim Gürbüz, Democratic Regions Party Chair for Karakoçan, and Hasan Solmaz to be tried without remand and adjourned the hearing.
(07/106) Workers’ Demonstration Intervened…
The police intervened the workers who wanted to march to Van Governorate on 17 July 2014 and dispersed the crowd by using tear gas, water cannons and plastic bullets. 3 persons were reportedly wounded during the police intervention. The workers were contracted by Turkish Employment Agency İŞKUR after the earthquakes on 23 October and 9 November 2011. But the contracts were revoked recently.
19-21 July 2014 Daily Human Rights Report
(07/107) Extra-judicial Killing Attempt in Erzurum…
Police officer İ.Ö. was arrested on 18 July 2014 for killing Furkan Çavuş (16). İ.Ö. hit with his car a cow and killed on 16 July 2014 in Palandöken district of Erzurum. Furkan Çavuş (16) and his brother were bringing the cattle from pasture when the incident happened. The police officer was not on duty and he shot both brothers when they had a dispute after the incident.
(07/108) Investigation on Assassination of Akın Birdal …
According to the news appeared on the press on 21 July 2014, the indictment against Mahmut Yıldırım aka Yeşil was sent to Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 8 for examination. The indictment was prepared on the grounds Yeşil was behind the killing attempt against Akın Birdal on 12 May 1998 when he had been Chair for Human Rights Association.
According to the indictment Mahmut Yıldırım founded Turkish Revenge Brigate in 1996 with Semih Tufan Günaltay and Cengiz Ersever to assassin people close with PKK. Mahmut Yıldırım is the only suspect in the indictment.
(07/109) Bomb Attack Case in İzmir…
Karşıyaka (İzmir) Heavy Penal Court No 1 continued on 18 July 2014 to hear the case against 8 persons including 5 remanded defendants launched after the bomb attack against a military shuttle on 9 August 2012 in Foça district of İzmir. The attack led to death of 2 soldiers and wounding of 12 soldiers. Freedom Hawks of Kürdistan (TAK) undertook the attack.
After the testimonies of the defendants, the court decided upon Public Prosecutor’s demand to release Faruk Kayli, Şehmus Rabindüz and Şefket Rabindüz to be tried without remand and adjourned the hearing to 19 September 2014.
(07/110) Impunity for Torture and Ill-treatment in Custody…
According to the news appeared on the press on 19 July 2014, Kuşadası (Aydın) Penal Court of First Instance No 1 concluded to hear the case launched after Fuat Şengül had a dispute with the police officers on 4 July 2014 in Kuşadası. Fuat Şengül was beaten and taken to the Çarşı Police Station when he objected police officer for towing his motorcycle away. He was also subjected to torture in custody.
The court sentenced Fuat Şengül to TL 8,840 for “insulting public officer on duty”. The police officers Murat Gül and Mehmet Çalışkan were proven guilty as charged, but the court ruled that the crime was committed under unjust provocation. The court sentenced the police officers to TL 3,000 each.
The court also decided to adjourn the verdict against police officer Süleyman Satılmış and acquitted the police officers Yunus Can and Ahmet Koçak.
(07/111) Condition of Prisoners…
Founder of Peace Mothers Initiative Meryem Soylu (55) incarcerated in Gebze (Kocaeli) Women’s Prison for being sentenced to 12 years for “being member of an illegal organisation” was kept handcuffed in the prisoner’s room at the hospital. Her family announced on 19 July 2014 that she was in the hospital for having an operation for 18 gallbladder stones.
(07/112) Condition of Prisoners…
Ekrem Çiçek (60) who was under arrest in a KCK trial launched after the operations conducted in 2009 in Diyarbakır had brain haemorrhage after falling in the bath on 4 June 2014. He was taken to Diyarbakır Training and Research Hospital, but he was transferred to the prison on 17 July 2014 without completion of the treatment on the grounds that there was no space available for him in the hospital.
After the attempts of human rights organisations and MPs, the hospital accepted Ekrem Çiçek on 18 July 2014 to be hospitalised.
(07/113) Pressures in Prisons…
According to the news appeared on the press on 18 July 2014, M.D. (15) and Ş.D. (17) who were arrested for attending a protest meeting were put in the same cell with adults on the grounds that there was no cell for juveniles in the prison. Their mother E.D. announced that the children were subjected to pressure and torture by the prisoners and guards. She also added that one of children told her that he would commit suicide.
(07/114) Pressures in Prisons…
İbrahim Er and Erhan Kaya who objected naked search after the visit of their lawyers on 14 July 2014 were beaten by the guards in Tekirdağ F-type Prison No 2.
(07/115) Compulsory Military Service…
According to the news appeared on the press on 20 July 2014, Cumali Özdemir, who is against compulsory military service and ran away 3 times from the military barracks, was arrested during ID control and sent to Kocaeli Military Prison.
(07/116) Freedom of Expression…
Kudret Kaçar who was detained on the allegations of inciting people to commit crime with the twits he sent before the visit of Prime Minister to Bursa on 18 July 2014 was arrested.
(07/117) Support Action Intervened…
The soldiers attacked on 19 July 2014 the tents of people nearby Syrian border put up to give support to people in Kobanê province of Rojava in connection with the armed attacks of ISIS. Soldiers used tear gas and set the tents to fire.
3 persons were wounded during the attack with tear gas canisters. The condition Sadık Aydın (25) is reportedly vital. Şirin Abak (45) and Şehriban Aslan, correspondent with the Jin News Agency, are also kept in intensive care unit.
(07/118) KCK Trial in Mersin…
Mersin Heavy Penal Court No 5 continued on 18 July 2014 to hear the case against 14 persons including 7 remanded defendants launched after a “KCK Investigation” conducted in 2012 in Mersin.
The defendants testified at the hearing in Kurdish. After the presentation of further evidences, the court decided to release all the defendants to be tried without remand and adjourned the hearing to a later date.
(07/119) KCK Trial in Şanlıurfa…
On 18 July 2014, Şanlıurfa Heavy Penal Court No 1 continued to hear the case against 26 persons including 9 remanded defendants launched on charges of “being members of KCK City Assembly”.
The case was launched after the operations conducted in 2012 in connection with a KCK investigation.
After the testimonies of the defendants and defence of the lawyers, the court decided to release all the defendants to be tried without remand and adjourned the hearing to 14 November 2014.
(07/120) Curfew in Hakkari…
Governorate of Hakkari declared curfew on 20 July 2014 after a continuing quarrel between the members of 2 clans (aşiret).
22 July 2014 Daily Human Rights Report
(07/121) Pressures in Prisons…
According to the news appeared on the press on 21 July 2014, Abubekir Arslan incarcerated in Kürkçüler (Adana) F-type Prison was beaten by the guards for minutes. His brother/sister announced that they could not learn why his/her brother was beaten.
(07/122) Condition of Prisoners…
According to the news appeared on the press on 21 July 2014, Mehmet Emin Özkan (76) incarcerated in Diyarbakır D-type Prison for the last 19 years and suffering from several diseases including heart problems, tension, goitre had heart attack. He was hospitalised and is being treated.
(07/123) Protesters Convicted…
According to the news appeared on the press on 21 July 2014, Gaziantep Heavy Penal Court No 5 concluded to hear the case against 12 persons launched on charges of “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”. The case was launched after a protest staged in 2012 in Gaziantep.
After the defence as to the accusations, the court sentenced the defendants to 30 months’ imprisonment.
23-25 July 2014 Daily Human Rights Report
(07/124) Person Killed with Tear Gas Canister…
Yusuf Özer (73) died on 22 July 2014 in Siirt State Hospital. He had heart attack on 16 July 2014 due to tear gas used during the death anniversary of HPG militant Mahfuz Aykaç who died on 16 July 2011 during an armed clash
(07/125) Operations and Clashes in the Southeast…
On 21 July 2014, an armed clash occurred between Turkish soldiers and HPG militants on Syrian border in Ceylanpınar district of Şanlıurfa. The militants reportedly did not obey the stop warning and 3 soldiers died during the clash. While General Staff announced that 6 militants died, HPG alleged loss of 2 militants.
(07/126) Extra-judicial Killing in Kilis…
A person with the first name Hasan was shot to death by the Turkish troops when he wanted to pass the border from Efrîn province in Rojava to Kilis on 21 July 2014.
(07/127) Extra-judicial Killing in Şırnak…
Xurşit Haci Ahmed (39) was shot to death by Turkish soldiers on 19 July 2014 when he was working his arable field on the Rojava-Şırnak border in Qasardit village on 19 July 2014.
(07/128) Stop Warning…
Serkan Sağıt allegedly died when his car flipped over on 24 July 2014 due to the blow-out for going over a tire trap on a check point nearby Kaniyahenê (Bekirhan) town of Kozluk district in Batman. He was allegedly smuggling cigarettes.
(07/129) Explosion in Şanlıurfa…
Hatun Haso (35) who wanted to pass the border on 17 July 2014 from the Rojava to Şanlıurfa to flee from the armed attacks of ISIS against her village in Kobané province was heavily wounded when a mine exploded. When Turkish troops did not allow her to pass the border, she had to walk through minefield. She is under risk of losing her legs.
(07/130) Torture and Ill-treatment in Custody…
155 persons who were detained during operations conducted on 22 July 2014 on the allegations of “illegal wiretapping” were allegedly not given adequate and meal eaten before starting fasting in Ramadan early in the morning. Lawyers and families of the detainees announced that they were also kept handcuffed while eating.
(07/131) Persons Beaten by the Police…
According to the surveillance camera recordings, the police beat A.A. on 16 July 2014 in Malatya for being called on the time of breaking the fast to disperse a quarrel among neighbours. The police also beat his brother D.A. and his sister-in-law when they objected the detention of A.A.
(07/132) Uğur Kantar Case…
Turkish Peace Forces Military Court in Cyprus continued on 23 July 2014 to hear the case concerning the killing of the private Uğur Kantar on 12 October 2011 under torture in Cyprus while he was serving for compulsory military service. Uğur Kantar lost his consciousness on 25 July October 2011 after the torture he was subjected in Cyprus and died on 12 October 2011 in GATA military hospital in Ankara.
After the presentation of the lawyers, the court adjourned the hearing to 12 September 2014 for the preparation of new Prosecutor’s opinion as to the accusations on the grounds that the judges and the current Prosecutor will be appointed in other courts.
The indictment wants the defendants Ayhan Arslan and Fırat Keser, who were guards of the correction prison, to be sentenced for “causing death by torturing someone”, the guard Recep Tekin for “intentional wounding by 5 times misconduct of public officer’s authority”, Warden of the Prison Ayhan Şentürk for “misconduct of duty by negligence”, the guards Süleyman Özdoğan, Özkan Belmen and Ahmet Yurdusevdi for “misconduct of duty”.
(07/133) Condition of Prisoners…
Mehmet Emin Özkan (76) incarcerated in Diyarbakır D-type Prison for the last 19 years and suffering from several diseases including heart problems, tension, and goitre had heart attack recently. He was hospitalised to Diyarbakır Training and research Hospital.
According to the news appeared on the press, He was transferred to the prisons after several medical tests.
(07/134) Pressures in Prisons…
According to the news appeared on the press on 24 July 2014, 6 prisoners incarcerated in Kırıklar (İzmir) F-type Prison No 2 were transferred to Antalya L-type Prison without their consent
(07/135) Workers’ Protest Prevented…
The police intervened the action staged on 22 July 2014 in İstanbul by the members of the union in energy sector Enerji-Sen fired from the electricity distribution company BEDAŞ. The police used tear gas to disperse the workers. Recep Garipgazioğlu, representative of the Enerji-Sen at BEDAŞ, had heart attack due to use of tear gas. Recep Garipgazioğlu was hospitalised and his condition is reportedly vital.
(07/136) KCK Trial in Siirt…
Siirt Heavy Penal Court No 1 continued on 23 July 2014 to hear the case against 24 persons launched after the operations conducted in 2011 in Kurtalan district of Siirt in connection with a ”KCK Investigation”. 10 of the defendants were remanded in this case.
After the testimonies of the defendants, the court decided to continuation of arrest of the defendants. The court adjourned the hearing to a 19 September 2014.
(07/137) KCK Trial in Siirt…
Siirt Heavy Penal Court No 1 continued on 23 July 2014 to hear the case against 27 persons launched after the operations conducted on 16 December 2011 in Kurtalan district of Siirt in connection with a ”KCK Investigation”. One of the defendants were remanded in this case.
After the testimonies of the defendants in Kurdish, the court decided to continuation of arrest of the defendant Abdulgafur Kubilay. The court adjourned the hearing to a 19 September 2014.
26-31 July 2014 Daily Human Rights Report
(07/138) Suspicious Private Death…
According to the news appeared on the press on 29 July 2014, Emin Daşçı (21) serving for compulsory military service in 5th Border Battalion nearby Bağlıca village of Uludere district in Şırnak died when the rifle of another private fired accidentally during night sentry-duty.
(07/139) Lapse of Time in Sivas Massacre Trial…
9th Penal Chamber at the Court of Cassation approved the lapse of time decision of Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 11 dating 6 December 2011 in the case of 7 defendants in the Sivas Massacre Trial. They had been on the run and their files had been separated. 33 persons including writers, folk singers, and workers of the hotel had been killed in Madimak Hotel in Sivas Province on 2 July 1993.
(07/140) Condition of Prisoners…
According to the news appeared on the press on 28 July 2014, Ergin Aktaş incarcerated in Ümraniye (İstanbul) T-type Prison was given a medical report by the Forensic Institute certifying that he could not serve his sentence in the prison on his-own for not having both arms. But he was not released by the court on the grounds that he could be “dangerous for public security”.
(07/141) Death in Prison…
Nihat Yılmaz incarcerated in Tekirdağ F-type Prison No 1 was wounded by his cell-mate with razor blade and then killed by bowstring.
(07/142) Pressures in Prisons…
According to the news appeared on the press on 27 July 2014, Bayram Yaruk who was transferred Kandıra (Kocaeli) F-type Prison from Bolu F-tyre Prison was beaten by the guards when he objected naked search. He was also sentenced to 40 days of confinement.
(07/143) Pressures in Prison…
According to the news appeared on the press on 29 July 2014, 2 prisoners incarcerated in Tekirdağ F-type Prison No 2 were beaten by the guards when they rejected naked search they the visit of their lawyers.
(07/144) Rape Allegation on Rojava Border…
MP Faysal Sarıyıldız made a press announcement on 26 July 2014 and alleged that 2 privates from Katran Border Military Station in Cizre district of Şırnak raped a woman when she wanted to pass the border from Rojava to Turkey.
(07/145) Pressures in Prisons…
According to the news appeared on the press on 25 July 2014, Suphi İsmail from Rojava incarcerated in Sincan (Ankara) F-type Prison No 2 was sentenced to confinement for banging on the cell door. Suphi İsmail is reportedly one-legged.
(07/146) State Presidency Elections…
The election booth for the State Presidency Candidate Selahattin Demirtaş was attacked by the followers of a political group on 28 July 2014 in Nurtepe quarter of Kağıthane distrist in İstanbul. 12 persons were wounded during the incident.
Retired teacher Nurettin Demirtaş was attacked and wounded on 26 July 2014 by the ultra-nationalists in Rize when he opened an election booth for Selahattin Demirtaş. The police reportedly did not intervene the attack and Nurettin Demirtaş was hospitalised after the incident.
2 persons were reportedly wounded when the election booth for Selahattin Demirtaş was attacked in Karşıyaka district of İzmir.
A group of 30 persons attacked the persons who were distributing leaflets for Selahattin Demirtaş on 26 July 2014 in Samsun. One per son was wounded during the incident.
An armed attack was organised against the election office for Selattin Demirtaş by unidentified persons on 28 July 2014 in Küçükçekmece district of İstanbul. The attack caused material damage.