Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
27 February Daily Human Rights Report
(02/345) Operations and Attacks in Southeast…
It is reported that on February 26, 2019, a soldier felt ill and then died during a patrol mission in rural areas of Yüksekova district of Hakkari.
(02/346) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of February 26, 2019 that, Mazhar Güler, a prisoner who was transferred under coercion from İzmir Kırıklar F Type Prison No 1 to Adana Kürkçüler F Type Prison on February 6, 2019, was subjected to physical violence of the wardens because of rejection to stand in military order during roll-calls. It is stated in the news reports that Mazhar Güler was referred to the prison infirmary where the physician conducted medical examination by only glaring at a distance and did not give a report evidencing the physical violence. It is reported that Mazhar Güler was also subjected to a disciplinary proceeding because of rejecting to stand military order during roll-calls.
It is learned from the news coverage of February 26, 2019 that, blood sugar level measurements of prisoners on hunger strike in Antalya L Type Prison were not conducted on the grounds of the instructions of the Ministry of Justice.
It is learned from the news coverage of February 26, 2019 that, Behnam Sadıki, an Iranian prisoner kept in Tokat T Type Prison, was taken from his ward and put into a solitary cell, and then was transferred to another prison. It is stated in the news reports that where Sadıki was taken is unknown.
It is learned from the news coverage of February 26, 2019 that, 6 prisoners in Izmir Kırıklar F Type Prison No 2 were subjected to disciplinary proceedings for chanting slogans and were penalised with solitary cell confinement and prohibition from communication rights for 15 days.
(02/347) Hunger Strike in Prison…
People’s Law Office made a declaration on February 26, 2019 and announced that their clients kept in Gebze M Type Prison went on a 10-day hunger strike to support lawyers from Progressive Lawyers Association (ÇHD) and People’s Law Office who are on hunger strike.
(02/348) Rejection to Meeting Request with Abdullah Öcalan…
It is learned that the appeal made on February 26, 2019 to chief public prosecutor’s office in Bursa by PKK leader Abdullah Öcalan’s lawyers in order to visit their client was rejected the same day on the grounds of limitations for prisoners in accordance with the law on the execution of sentences and security measures (law no 5275). With the last rejection, it was the 793rd time that appeals for visiting Öcalan have been rejected so far. Abdullah Öcalan has met his lawyers on July 27, 2011 for the last time.
(02/349) Police Intervention Against “I Want My Job Back” Protest in Ankara…
The police intervened the press declaration of public labourers who had been dismissed by a state of emergency decree and have been struggling 840 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on February 26, 2019 at 13.30 and 18.00.
It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on February 26, 2019, 3 people (Cemal Öksüz, Mahmut Konuk and Nazan Bozkurt) and at 18.00 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Acun Karadağ) were detained. It is learned that Nazan Bozkurt was subjected to physical violence of the police at the press declaration at 18.00.
Thus in total 5 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on February 26, 2019. It is learned that detainees were released the same day.
(02/350) Police Intervention Against a Protest in Istanbul…
Türkan Albayrak, who was dismissed from her job at Sarıyer district Health Department, on the grounds of ‘personnel security investigation’ and ‘archive search’, on August 3, 2018; made a press declaration to regain her job on February 26, 2019, and attempted for a sit-in protest in front of Health Department. The police intervened into the sit-in and detained Türkan Albayrak. It is learned that Türkan Albayrak was released the same day. It is the 92nd time of detention of Türkan Albayrak.
(02/351) Prevention of an Event in Gebze…
It is learned that the press declaration of Marmara Prison Solidarity Initiative, for the hunger strikes in prison, to be held in Gebze on February 26, 2019, was prevented by the police on the grounds of sub-governorate’s interdiction.
(02/352) Police Raid to İdil Cultural Center…
İdil Cultural Center in Okmeydanı, Beyoğlu district of Istanbul is raided by the police on February 26, 2019. Istanbul Governorate announced that 8 people including lawyer Barkın Timtik are detained at the raid. The names of detained people are: Ümit İlter, Caferi Sadık Eroğlu, Emel Yeşilırmak, İbrahim Gökçek, Barkın Timtik, Barış Yüksel, Betül Varan, Sultan Gökçek. İdil Cultural Center was raided on November 9, 2018 lastly.
(02/353) Detained Person in Şırnak for ‘Making Propaganda for an Illegal Organisation’…
Cahide Encü, sister of Cemal Encü who died in Roboski Massacre, is stopped at a police check point on Cizre-İdil roadway on February 26, 2019 and is detained on the grounds of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’. Cahide Encü is released after statement procedures at the prosecutor’s office on the same day.
(02/354) The Cases Against Academics Who Are the Signatories of the Petition “We will not be a party to this crime!”…
The separate cases against 4 academicians (Evren Erlevent and Professor Z.S. from Artuklu University and Assist. Professor Zeliha Burcu Acar from Yüzüncü Yıl University and Assist. Professor Hatice Yeşildal from Anadolu University) for signing the petition “We will not be a party to this crime!” on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 36 for ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ are held on February 26, 2019. The court sentenced Z.S. and Evren Erlevent to 1 year and 3 months each for ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ and deferred the announcement of the verdict. The court adjourned the trials of the cases against Zeliha Burcu Acar and Hatice Yeşildal to March 25, 2019.
The separate cases against 2 academicians (Assist. Professor Volkan Çidam and PhD Nurçin İleri from Boğaziçi University) for the same reason on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 24 are held on February 26, 2019. The court decided to send a writ to the Ministry of Justice in order to continue judging according to Article 301 of Turkish Penal Code and to quit proceedings until then.
The separate cases against 2 academicians (Assoc. Professor İpek Yürekli from Istanbul Technical University, PhD Sakine Çil from Boğaziçi University) for the same reason on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 37 are held on February 26, 2019. The court sentenced İpek Yürekli to 1 year and 3 months for ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ and deferred the announcement of the verdict. The court adjourned the trial of the case against Sakine Çil to May 16, 2019.
The separate cases against 2 academicians (Assoc. Professor Candan Badem from Munzur University and Assist. Professor Ali Serdar Tekin from Ege University) for the same reason on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 33 are held on February 26, 2019. The court sentenced Candan Badem to 1 year 10 months and 15 days for ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ and deferred the announcement of the verdict. It is learned that one of the judges, expressing a dissenting opinion, stated that the verdict should have been acquittal. The court decided to send the case against Ali Serdar Tekin to Izmir Heavy Penal Court based on lack of venue decision. The court has rejected this demand on the previous trial.
The case against Assist. Professor Özlem Beyarslan from Boğaziçi University for the same reason on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 14 is held on February 26, 2019. The court sentenced Özlem Beyarslan to 1 year and 3 months for ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ and deferred the announcement of the verdict.
The separate cases against 3 academicians Assist. Professor Meral Gürbüz and Assoc. Professor Murat Emeksiz from Anadolu University and Assist. Professor Osman Eroğlu from Mardin Artuklu University) for the same reason on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 26 are held on February 26, 2019. The court adjourned the trials of the cases against Meral Gürbüz and Murat Emeksiz to April 24, 2019. The court decided to send the case against Osman Eroğlu to Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court based on lack of venue.
The case against Professor Melih Kırlıdoğ from Nişantaşı University for the same reason on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 35 is held on February 26, 2019. The court decided to send a writ to the Ministry of Justice in order to continue judging according to Article 301 of Turkish Penal Code and to quit proceedings until then.
The separate cases against 2 academicians (PhD student T.E. from Pennsylvania University and Yörük İlhan Kurtaran from Bilgi University) for the same reason on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 25 are held on February 26, 2019. The court adjourned both of the trials to December 26, 2019.
(02/355) Former HDP Co-Chair on Trial…
The final trial of the case against Figen Yüksekdağ, former co-chair of People’s Democratic Party (HDP), on the charge of ‘insulting the President’ on Diyarbakır Penal Court of First Instance No 13 is held on February 26, 2019. Figen Yüksekdağ did not attend the trial. Her lawyer demanded that Figen Yüksekdağ should make her defence as being present at the court. However, the court did not accept the demand and sentenced Figen Yüksekdağ to 1 year and 6 months.
(02/356) The Case Against People Evacuated from Nusaybin…
On the trial of the case against 53 people who were detained and then arrested during the curfew on Nusaybin district, on Mardin Heavy Penal Court No 4 which was held on February 25, 2019, the court decided to separate the case for each defendant and to start proceedings all over again with new case files.
On February 26, 2019, the trial of the case against Fırat Çiftçi is held. Fırat Çiftçi declared that he would not make defence unless the decision of separation is reversed. The court decided to continue detention of Fırat Çiftçi and adjourned the trial to April 16, 2019.
It is learned that the trials will continue on February 27, 2019.
(02/357) Union Chair on Trial in Istanbul…
The final trial of the case against Zafer Ayden, chair of Cinema Workers’ Union (Sine-Sen) and Deniz Özgür from Beyoğlu City Defence, on Istanbul Penal Court of First Instance No 32, on the grounds of ‘insulting the President’ by chants during the rally held on October 12, 2015 in Galatasaray Square, to protest October 10 – Ankara Massacre, is held on February 26, 2019. The court acquitted 2 defendants.
(02/358) Journalist on Trial in Izmir…
The case against Mezopotamya News Agency reporter Ahmet Kanbal, for his news reports on Turkish Armed Forces’ military operation to Afrin and his social media posts, is held on Izmir Heavy Penal Court No 2 is held on February 26, 2019. After the defence hearings the court adjourned the trial to March 19, 2019.
(02/359) Journalist on Trial in Diyarbakır…
The case against journalist Rojhat Doğru on Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 8 on the charge of “disrupting the unity and integrity of the state” and “intentional injury” is held on February 26, 2019. Rojhat Doğru joined the trial via sound and vision system. The court decided to release Rojhat Doğru on judicial control conditions and adjourned the trial.
Rojhat Doğru was arrested on December 5, 2019.
(02/360) Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
On February 26, 2019, 28 of 50 people for whom a detention warrant is issued through a Konya based investigation are detained in operations covering 32 cities; 73 people are detained in operations covering 4 cities through a Balıkesir based investigation; 18 people including military members are detained in operations covering 17 cities through an Izmir based investigation; and 8 people including military members on active duty are detained in Tekirdağ.
15 of 32 people who were detained in Ankara on February 29, 2019 are arrested by the court on February 26, 2019. It is learned that 17 people are released on judicial control conditions.
A person named Zahide Üner who was detained on a detention warrant in Muğla and was taken to Istanbul on February 13, 2019 is arrested by the court on February 26, 2019.
(02/361) Trials in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
The final trial of the case against 45 people, 15 of which are arrested including general Metin Alpcan, former commander of Armoured Brigade No 20, is held on Urfa Heavy Penal Court No 5 on February 26, 2019. The court sentenced Metin Alpcan, Necat Gör, Mehmet Ali Kılıç, Yüksel Can, Celil Kuş and Murat Veysel Özdelice to heavy life imprisonment on the charge of ‘attempt to abolish the constitutional order’. The court sentenced 9 defendants to jail penalties differing from 5 years to 12 years and 6 months on the same charge. The court sentenced 8 defendants to jail penalties differing from 3 years to 8 years and 9 months on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’. The court acquitted 22 people.
The final trial of the case against former majors Behzat Şahin, Altan Kayabaşı and Kamil Öğül and sergeant Atilla Tanrısever, on Batman Heavy Penal Court No 2 is held on February 26, 2019. The court sentenced Behzat Şahin, Atilla Tanrısever and Kamil Öğül to heavy lime imprisonment for ‘attempting to abolish the constitutional order’. The court sentenced Altan Kayabaşı to 7 years and 6 months for ‘being an illegal organisation member’. The court released Altan Kayabaşı on this verdict.
The final trial of the case against Mithat Özcan, former member of the State Council, is held on Penal Department No 9 of the Supreme Court, on February 26, 2019. The court sentenced Mithat Özcan to 8 years and 9 months for ‘being an illegal organisation’.
(02/362) Elections on March,31…
It is learned from the news coverage of February 26, 2019 that, Batman provincial election board has rejected the appeal of Sabri Özdemir, HDP’s co-mayor candidate for Batman, to the decline decision of central district election board. Sabri Özdemir’s nomination was declined on the grounds of sentences given to him for 2 different cases on the charge of ‘insulting the President’.
It is learned from the news coverage of February 26, 2019 that, Elazığ’s Karakoçan district election board declined the nomination of Serap Doğan, HDP’s co-mayor candidate on the grounds of sentence given to her on a case.
It is learned from the news coverage of February 26, 2019 that, Mersin’s Akdeniz district election board declined the nomination of Aleddin Erdoğan, HDP’s co-mayor candidate on the grounds of sentence given to him on a case on the charge of ‘insulting the President’. It is also reported that 3 candidates (2 main members and 1 substitute member) for city council were also declined by district election board.
It is learned from the news coverage of February 26, 2019 that, Tunceli’s Nazımiye district election board declined the nomination of Özkan Arslan, mayor candidate of Revolutionary Coalition, on the grounds of a sentence given to him on a case.
It is learned from the news coverage of February 26, 2019 that, Izmir’s Dikili district election board declined the nomination of Buğra Akın, mayor candidate of Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), on the grounds of a sentence given to him on a case. It is reported that provincial election board also rejected the appeal to this decision.
It is learned from the news coverage of February 26, 2019 that, Muğla’s Bodrum district election board declined the nomination of Mustafa Saruhan, mayor candidate of Republican People’s Party (CHP), on the grounds of a sentence given to him on a case.
[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.
[2]To subscribe to the e-mail group: please write ‘daily human rights reports subscription application’ to the title of your e-mail and sent it to dokumantasyon@tihv.org.tr.
[3]https://www.facebook.com/TIHV.HRFT
[4] https://twitter.com/insanhaklari
[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, Jinnews, ETHA, Mezopotamya Ajansı, Yurt, YeniYaşam, NTV, Yeni Asya, Bianet, Halkinsesi.tv, Cnnturk, T724, İleri Haber, Siyasi Haber, Alınteri, Kızılbayrak, Sendika.org, Yüksekova Haber, T24, Diken, Gazete Karınca, Gazete Duvar, Haber Sol, El Cezire, BBC, Deutsche Welle, Reuters, AFP.