Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
27 October 2017 Daily Human Rights Report
(10/335) House Raid in Van…
It is learned from news coverage of October 26, 2017 that a house was completely destroyed in Van’s Mollatopuz district during a fire that broke when gendarmerie special forces were raiding the house. The house was raided due to an alleged denunciation. House owner Erdem Candemir spoke to and said: ‘‘They asked for the keys of the house. So, we opened the door. They asked us to open all windows of the house. My uncle’s daughter and headperson entered the house and opened all the windows. I told them that my brother has a wedding next week and his new furniture is within the house, we should take them out so that they won’t be harmed. They told me nothing would happen they would just throw 3 gas bombs inside. When the house started to burn soldiers got back. But we couldn’t intervene to the house and it completely burned’’.
Another witness said: ‘‘We told the soldiers not to burn the house but they insisted. They told us to shut up and that they would burn it. Than they threw gas bombs.’’
It is reported that nobody was found within the house in which there were allegedly HPG militants.
HDP Van MP Adem Geveri claimed that it wasn’t only gas bombs, soldiers also used grenades.
It is learned that Halime Candemir (80) suffered from a heart attack due to heavy smoke while trying to intervene to fire and she was given an angiography at the hospital.
(10/336) Confidentiality Order on Torture Allegations in Van…
It is learned from news coverage of October 26, 2017 that a confidentiality order has been placed on the allegation of 4 villagers being tortured in district police headquarters after they were detained on June 9, 2017 in Van’s Gevaş village.
It is reported that a confidentiality order decision was taken on the same day attorneys of villagers asked for video records of Gevaş police Headquarters.
News also reveal that the report prepared by Van Yüzüncü Yıl University Medical Faculty shows that Abdulselam Aslan, Halil Aslan, Cemal Aslan had bruises on their faces and bodies along with cuts and broken bones.
After the missile attack on Gevaş Police Headquarters on June 9, 2017, 4 villagers were detained while they were returning from picking mushrooms from the forest. They were released 5 days later with judiciary control condition. Photos of villagers being tortured and photos of them taken at the police station were also published in press.
(10/337) Torture and Other Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from news coverage of October 26, 2017 that People’s Law Office attorneys Barkın Timtik, Neciye Demir and Zehra Özdemir refused to stand up during counting in Bolu Type T prison and therefor disciplinary investigation was opened against them. It is learned that Barkın Timtik was punished with a family meeting ban for 9 years. It is learned that Özgür Yılmaz and Ahmet Mandıracı, also attorneys of People’s Law Office, were kept in solitary confinement cells in Edirne Type T Prison.
It is learned from news coverage of October 27, 2017 that 26 prisoners transferred from Diyarbakır Type D prison to Ağrı Patnos prison were beaten because they refused the strip search in the entrance of the prison. It is reported that prisoners who went to hospital to receive abuse reports were told ‘you are fine’ and sent back.
It is learned from news coverage of October 27, 2017 that political prisoners in Silivri No 5 prison are forced to wear identity badges.
It is also learned that 2 prisoners in Silivri No 5 prison were beaten by wardens because they refused to walk in a single line while returning from the prison hospital.
(10/338) Prisoners Beaten During Trial…
Peoples Law Office declared on October 26, 2017 that arrested defendants of a case with 40 people on trial in Silivri Campus Prison, were first beaten in the court room and then in rooms with no cameras. The statement of the Office revealed that a prisoner named Rojda Yalçınkılıç mentioned people that had died in Sur and Cizre during her defense. She was then separated from other prisoners on the way back to the prison and beaten as wardens said ‘it is allowed to do anything, take this one’. The statement also reported that although prisoners had bruises on their faces and bodied none were issued abuse reports.
(10/339) Prisoner Detained in Prison…
The parliamentary question by HDP Batman MP Ayşe Acar Başaran regarding the prisoner named Afşin Musazade who was taken from Diyarbakır Type D prison on May 2017 to an unknown location, was answered by the Ministry of Justice. According to the answer it is learned that Afşin Musazade was taken out of Diyarbakır Type D Prison on May 3, 2017 and was held at Mardin District Gendarmerie Counterterrorism branch untill May 9, 2017.
(10/340) Rejection of Meeting Request with Abdullah Öcalan…
It is learned that on October 26, 2017 PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s attorneys Cengiz Çiçek, Serbay Köklü and Nevroz Uysal requested from Bursa Public Prosecutor’s Office to meet with their client. The request was denied on the same day based on limitations regarding the convicted prisoners due to Law on the Execution of Criminal and Security Measures Number 5275. With this latest decline meeting requests with Öcalan have been denied for the 699th time.
It is learned that PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s brother, sister and families of Hamili Yıldırım, Ömer Hayri Konar and Veysel Aktaş also requested visitation and submitted a request to Bursa Public Prosecutor’s Office. The request was denied the same day due to Law on the Execution of Criminal and Security Measures Number 5275.
(10/341) Police Intervention Towards ‘‘I Want My Job Back’’ demonstrations in Ankara…
Civil servants discharged from their jobs with Statuary Decree’s planned for press meetings in front of the Human Rights Monument in Ankara Yüksel Street on October 26, 2017. Demonstrations of the group has been going on for several weeks. Two meetings planned at 13.00 and 18.00 respectively were both intervened and prevented by the police forces.
During the intervention towards the meeting at 13.30, 5 people and during the 18.00 meeting, 6 people (Simge Aksan, İlker Işık, Mustafa Keçeli, Turgut Türksoy, Veli Saçılık and Nazan Bozkurt) were beaten and detained.
11 people in total were detained on October 26, 2017 during Yüksel Street demonstrations. It is learned that police officers also prevented press members from reporting the incident. It is reported that detainees were released within the same day.
(10/342) Attorneys Detained in İzmir…
It is learned that 6 ÇHD member attorneys were detained through house and office raids on october 27, 2017. ÇHD was closed with a Statuary Decree. Names of the attorneys detained: Dinçer Çalım, Nergis Tuba Aslan, Şule Arslan, Bahattin Özdemir, Emel Diril and Yemen Cankan.
(10/343) Journalist Detained in İstanbul…
It is learned that journalist Zeynep Kuray detained on October 25, 2017 because of her social media posts was released following her testimony to prosecution on October 26, 2017.
(10/344) Detention and Arrests…
It is learned that 5 people (Bayram Çağlar, Orhan Aslan, Aynur Göğer, Mahmut Alp, Nusret Şanlı) were detained during house raids in Mersin on October 26, 2017. It is learned that 5 people were taken to Mersin Police Headquarters and the reason for their detention remain unknown.
It is learned that 3 addresses in Bingöl’s Solhan district including DBP district Co-Chair Ömer Çelikel’s house were raided on October 27, 2017. It is reported that many books and a photograph of Selahattin Demirtaş was taken during the raid at Ömer Çelikel’s house. HDP district executive Oktay Mollaoğulları was detained following the raids.
Through an İzmir based investigation 15 people were detained during operations in 3 cities on October 27, 2017. Detainees were accused with ‘aiding and abetting an illegal organization’ and ‘making propaganda of an illegal organization’.
(30/345) Detention of Osman Kavala Extended…
It is learned from news coverage of October 26, 2017 that the detention period for Anadolu Kültür Holding Chair and business person Osman Kavala has been extended for 7 more days. Osman Kavala was detained on October 18, 2017 in Istanbul Atatürk Airport and his detention period was extended 7 more days on October 19, 2017.
(10/346) Detentions and Arrests in Connection with the Coup d’État Attempt…
It is learned that 46 of 70 regular soldiers issued with detention warrants were detained through a Konya based investigation during operations in 31 cities. 48 people in Istanbul, 31 people including academics discharged with Decree with the Force of Law through a Trabzon based investigation, 14 soldiers during operations in 12 cities also through a Trabzon based investigation, 21 people through a Tunceli based investigation during operations in 19 cities, were detained.
It is reported that on October 26, 2017 detention warrants were issued for 121 former Ministry of Foreign Affairs employees through an Ankara based investigation due to alleged usage of ByLock. It is learned that operations continue in 30 cities to capture these employees.
It is learned that through a Tokat based investigation 22 people including 18 regular soldiers were issued with detention warrants and operations continue in 15 cities to capture these individuals.
It is learned that 18 of 24 soldiers detained through a Mardin based investigation during operations in 13 cities and KKTC, were arrested on October 26, 2017 by court. 6 people were released with judiciary control condition.
(10/347) Trials of HDP MP’s…
The trial of HDP Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş continued on October 26, 2017. One of multiple cases against Demirtaş was opened by Mersin Court of First Instance No 14 based on a speech he made in February 27, 2016 in an event in Mersin. Demirtaş is accused of ‘deliberately insulting state soldiers and security forces’ with his speech. Demirtaş did not attend the trial and his attorney stated to court that he wished to be present in person in the courtroom. The court overruled this request and adjourned the trial to February 22, 2018.
The trial of HDP Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş for insulting the President in December 2015 during a speech he gave in İstanbul Atatürk Airport, continued on October 26, 2017. The case was opened by Bakırköy Penal Court of First Instance No 38. Demirtaş did not attend the trial and his attorney stated to court that he wished to be present in person in the courtroom. The court accepted this request and adjourned the trial to a further date.
The trial of HDP Adana MP Meral Danış Beştaş continued on October 26, 2017. The case was opened by Adana Penal Court of First Instance No 8 due to Beştaş ‘‘deliberately insulting Turkish Republic and the state’’ during a speech she gave protesting the curfews. Beştaş did not attend the trial and following defenses, the court adjourned the hearing to a further date.
(10/348) Trials of DBP Members in Van…
The trial of 8 people including DBP Van Co-Chair Ahmet Aygün started on October 27, 2017. The case was opened by Van Heavy Penal Court No 1. The defendants are accused with ‘membership of an illegal organization’. Following the defenses the court ruled for the release of 6 defendants and continuity of arrests for 2 defendants. DBP Van Co-Chair Ahmet Aygün and 7 other defendants were detained on May 11, 2017 and arrested on May 22, 2017.
(10/349) Gezi Trial in İzmir…
It is learned from news coverage of October 25, 2017 that İzmir District Regional Court overruled the decision to acquit 4 defendants who were previously on trial for attending Gezi demonstrations. It is learned that the Regional Court sentenced 4 defendants to 6 years 3 months for ‘‘violating law number 2911 on meetings and demonstrations’’ and ‘‘committing crime on behalf of an illegal organization despite being a member’’. It is reported that attorneys will object to Supreme Court.
(10/350) Trials of Union Members in İzmir…
The trial of Secretary for Women’s Division of İzmir Eğitim-Sen Union Ayşegül Kocaaslan and Özlem Gündüz continued on October 26, 2017. The case was opened by İzmir Heavy Penal Court No 2 and defendants are accused with ‘making propaganda of an illegal organization’ through the speech they gave in March 8 Women’s Day and the banners they carried at the march. Following the defenses the court acquitted both defendants.
(10/351) Trial of Özgür Gündem…
The trial of 13 journalists for acting as substitute editor in chief of Özgür Gündem newspaper in rounds continued on October 26, 2017. Özgür Gündem was closed with a Statuary Decree. The case was opened by İstanbul 14th Heavy Penal Court. The court adjourned the hearing to March 15, 2018 as defenses of the journalists was not heard.
DİSK Basın-İş Union General Manager Faruk Esen, Evrensel columnists İhsan Caraland and Fehim Işık, journalists Ertuğrul Mavioğlu, Celal Başlangıç, Celalettin Can, Öncü Akgül, Hüseyin Aykol, Ömer Ağın, Dilşah Kocakaya, Mehmet Şirin Taşdemir, Veysel Kemer and Yüksel Oğuz are on trial.
(10/352) Trial of Journalist in Batman…
The trial of 3 people including reporter of DİHA Şerife Oruç continued on October 26, 2017. DİHA is closed with a Decree with the Force of Law. The trial was opened by Batman Heavy Penal Court No 2 and defendants are accused of ‘membership of an illegal organization’. Şerife Oruç attended the trial through SEGBİS. Tuba Sert and police officers who detained Oruç were listened as witnesses. Tuba Sert revealed in her testimony that her previous testimony is irrelevant and she doesn’t know 3 defendants. Following the defenses the court ruled for the continuity of arrests for all defendants and adjourned the hearing date to January 11, 2018. Şerife Oruç, Emrah Oruç and Muzaffer Tunç were detained on July 3, 2016 and later arrested on October 5, 2016 by court. Şerife Oruç was forced to a strip search in Batman Police Headquarters.
(10/353) Trials in Rize…
The trial of 24 protestors demonstrating against the Green Road project in Karadeniz plateaus continued on October 26, 2017. The case was opened by Pazar Penal Court of First Instance. The defendants are accused with ‘‘violating freedom to engage in business and freedom of labor’’. Following the defenses the court adjourned the trial to February 6, 2017.
(10/354) Trials in Connection with the Coup d’État Attempt…
The final hearing for the trial of former teacher Mustafa Baltacı took place on October 26, 2017. Baltacı was discharged with a Decree with the Force of Law. The case was opened by Gaziantep Heavy Penal Court No 7. The court sentenced Baltacı to 7 years 6 months due to ‘membership of an illegal organization’.
The final hearing for the trial of former police officer Serkan Ayvalı took place on October 26, 2017. Ayvalı was discharged with a Statuary Decree. The case was opened by Malatya Heavy Penal Court No 2. The court sentenced Serkan Ayvalı to 7 years 6 months ‘membership of an illegal organization’ through ByLock usage and ruled for the continuity of his arrest.
The trial of 68 people for the case opened by Kayseri 2nd Heavy Penal Court continued on October 26, 2017. Following the defenses, the court ruled for the release of Bekir Boydak and arrest of 6 defendants due to alleged ByLock usage. The court also ruled for the cases of some defendants to be separated and adjourned the trial date to February 6, 2018.
The trial of 8 people including 7 former military personnel continued on October 26, 2017. The case was opened by Kars Heavy Penal Court No 2. Following the defenses the court ruled for the continuity of arrests for 7 defendants and adjourned the trial to a further date.
[1] The reports on the human rights violations of the Documentation Center are claims unless they are certified. The claim of violation either is certified through thoroughly investigations of HRFT Documentation Center, including by judicial verdicts, and becomes a definite data or it is not included to the annual report.
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[5] Daily Human Rights Reports are prepared on the information gathered by the Documentation Center from its own network and the following dailies and internet portals: Vatan, Milliyet, Hürriyet, Habertürk, Evrensel, Birgün, Cumhuriyet, Fırat Haber Ajansı, ETHA, Dihaber, Yurt, Özgürlükçü Demokrasi, Ntv, Bianet.org, Halkinsesi.tv, Cnnturk, Alinteri, Kızılbayrak, Özgür Radyo, Sendika.org, El Cezire,BBC, Yüksekova Haber, T24, Diken, Gazete Karınca, Gazete Duvar.