Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center[1][2][3][4][5]
7 – 9 October 2017 Daily Human Rights Report
(10/088) Person Injured by Armored Vehicle in Yüksekova…
It is learned that an armed vehicle hit a car with 3 people in on October 7, 2017 in Hakkari’s Yükseova district. Due to the crash, Mehmet Milas who was inside the car was heavily injured. Milas suffers from hemorrhage, broken bones in arm and hip and still is in critical condition. Semih Baysal and Yakup Çelik who were also in the car were discharged from the hospital with minor injuries.
(10/089) Civilian Death in Yüksekova …
It is learned from news coverage of October 6, 2017 that HPG militants claimed responsibility for the death of one civilian named Müslüm Erdal in Hakkari’s Yüksekova district.
(10/090) Suspicious Death in İzmir…
It is claimed in the coverage of October 6, 2017 that the cause of of Yiğitcan Camgöz, who was found dead on 24 September 2017 in Bayraktar district of İzmir, is not “‘inhaling lighter fluid” as written in the police and prosecutor’s records.
Security camera footage of a private residence revealed that Yiğitcan Camgöz was assaulted by a police officer and pepper spray was used on him. It is reported that the footage shows one police officer approaching Yiğitcan sitting at the park, spraying pepper gas at him, grabbing his throat, throwing him to ground and physically abusing him. Footage shows a second police officer approaching and hitting Yiğitcan and spraying pepper gas. Police officers later claimed that Yiğitcan died due to ‘inhaling lighter fluid’ and it is reported that this claim prevented Yiğitcan from receiving the appropriate treatment and resulted in his death.
Yiğitcan Camgöz’s family filed criminal complaints to Public Prosecution Office for police brutality.
(10/091) 7 People Detained in Muğla…
It is learned that 2 of 7 people detained in Muğla, Seydikemer district on October 4, 2017 spoke to their attorneys. 7 people were forced to strip naked and harassed by officers during detention. Veysi Şengil and Ekrem Altay spoke to attorneys on October 7, 2017. Attorney Gülfer Karadeniz stated that Ekrem Altay had torture marks on his body and had severe pain due to a rib injury. Karadeniz also said Veysi Şengil had bruises on his eyes, and broken bones under his eye, nose and ribs.
Attorney Karadeniz revealed that there are 3 more people kept in the police station and they yelled at him their names (Adnan Yiğiner, Mustafa Yiğiner and İsmail Bozdağ). Karadeniz stated that officers did not allow him to one on one contact those three but all had heavy torture marks on their bodies and bruises on their faces.
Attorney Karadeniz also revealed that detainees were forced to testify that they came from Syria for armed actions.
It is learned that families of detainees were called on October 9, 2017. Names of the detainees are: Ekrem Altay, Veysi Şengil, İsmail Bozdağ, Velat Asan, Mehmet Can Yiğiner, Mustafa Yiğiner, Adnan Yiğiner.
(10/092) Operations and attacks in Southeast…
It is learned from news coverage of October 4, 2017 that 1 militant died during clashes between HPG militants and armed forces in rural areas of Bingöl’s Karlıova district. Also on October 4, 2 militants died in Şırnak’s Beytüşşebap district during clashes.
It is learned that 2 village guards died and 1 village guard was injured due to a bomb attack during a military operation in Diyarbakır’s Silvan district on October 8, 2017.
(10/093) Prisoners Restrained from Defenses in Silivri Prison…
Attorney Selim Yıldırım said on his statement to press on October 8,2017 that his client in Silivri Prison was prevented from receiving a copy of his testimony in Kurdish. The document was blocked by the administration stating ‘No one here knows Kurdish we don’t understand what it says’. Yıldırım alsa revealed that the administration took also his clients hand written testimony in Kurdish.
(10/094) Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from news coverage of October 7, 2017 that prisoners in Bandırma T Type Prison are only allowed to have 1 book, magazines and newspapers sent to the prisoners are withheld by the administration.
It is learned from news coverage of October 7, 2017 that 5 prisoners in Mardin Type E Prison were transferred to Urfa No 2 T Type prison.
Also on October 7 news reported that cell of a prisoner named İsmail Kara (18) in Tekirdağ No 1 T Type Prison was raided by wardens, Kara was physically abused and restrained from having any visitors for 6 months.
News coverage of October 9, 2017 claimed that 13 prisoners in Elazığ No 1 High Security Prison were forced out of their cells and have been staying in solitary confinement for 1 month.
(10/095) Hunger Strike in Prison…
It is learned from news coverage of October 6, 2017 that 2 children named Y.Ü and S.Y. who were physically abused in Şakran Juvenile Center, started a hunger strike to protest ill treatment have been experiencing on October 2, 2017.
It is learned from news coverage of October 7, 2017 that in Bandırma No 1 T Type Prison the cell in which 3 prisoners were kept were raided by wardens, and that during the raid some personal belongings were collected and some were harmed on October 3, 2017. Yoldaş Bingöl, Muharrem Çay and one other prisoner named Aziz whose last name hasn’t been identified have been on a hunger strike for 13 days.
(10/096) Rejection of Meeting Request with Öcalan…
It is learned that on October 6, 2017 PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan’s brother and sister along with families of Hamili Yıldırım, Ömer Hayri Konar and Veysel Aktaş who are also prisoners in Imrali, requested from Bursa Public Prosecutor’s Office to meet with them. 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.
(10/097) 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 6,7,8, 2017. The resistance of the group has been going on for several weeks. Two meetings planned at 13.00 and 18.00 respectively were both prevented by the police forces who clocked entrance to the street by barriers. No detentions occurred. Arm of a woman making a peace sign was twisted by a police officer.
It is learned that 3 people including a journalist were physically abused and detained during the 13.30 meeting on October 7 (Journalist Oktay İnce, İlker Işık and an unidentified person). On the same day at 18.00 meeting 6 people including actress Defne Halman were detained. (Defne Halman, Alev Şahin, Eser Budak and unidentified 3 more people). It is reported that detainees were released from Çankaya District Police Headquarters on the same day.
It is learned that police intervened to 13.30 meeting on October 8, physically abused and detained 8 people. One of the detainees reportedly fainted. Police also intervened to 18.00 meeting, physically abused and detained 7 people including Acun Karadağ. It is learned that Veli Saçılık was physcically abused during intervention and press members were prevented from reporting.
In total 24 people were detained during police interventions on 6,7,8 October 2017.
(10/098) Attorneys Detained in Mersin…
7 attorneys including IHD Mersin District Secretary Attorney Özgür Çağlar and ÇHD Mersin District Chair Attorney Mehmet Altuntaş detained on October 3, 2017 and onwards due to ‘making propaganda of an illegal organization’ were released on October 6, 2017 with judiciary control conditions. It is reported that the press briefings attorneys attended, their social media posts and book in their houses were presented as evidence.
(10/099) Police Raid Towards DBP Office in Diyarbakır…
DBP’s Diyarbakır office was raided by police officers on October 8, 2017. No detentions occurred. Officers searched the building and collected posters that wrote isolation on, from Vedat Aydın conference room within the building. It is reported that a panel was hosted in the room by TJA through the ‘Isolation Will Lose Freedom Will Win’ campaign.
(10/100) Police Raid Towards HDP Office in Kurtalan…
It is learned that on October 7, 2017 police officers raided HDP’s Kurtalan district building and searched inside.
(10/101) Detentions and Arrests…
It is learned that during the raid towards HDP office in Kurtalan, 3 people including district co-chair Cengiz Bingöl were detained. (Cengiz Bingöl, Ali İhsan Evciv ve Hasan Demir) Evciv and Demir were released on the same day. Through the same operation HDP district executive Hayrettin Deniz and Daily Özgürlükçü Demokrasi distributor Fahrettin Devirden were detained.
It is reported that 7 people including HDP Şırnak accountant Halit Erik were detained through house raids. Following testimonies, detainees were released within the same day.
On October 9, 2017 8 people including executives of HDP and several NGO’s, were detained during house raids in Ankara. Names of the detainees: HDP party assembly member Ahmet Kaya, Democratic Alawites Foundation Mamak Branch Chair Hasan Altun, KESK members Civan Yıldırım and Ronahi Temelli, now closed TUHAD-FED’s Ankara officer Hava Özcan, KURD-DER Chair Mustafa Kahraman, Nihat İldan and Mizgin Ermiş. Through the same investigation HDP MYK member Atiye Eren and journalist Barış Boyraz were issued detention requests. The reason for detentions is unknown.
Also on october 9, 2017 a DBP party member named Yavuz Yıldız was detained in Van.
(10/102) Detentions and Arrests in Connection with the Coup d’État Attempt…
It is learned that on October 6, allegedly a ‘private imam’ named H.Y. was caught trying to illegally cross the Greece border along with his wife and 2 children. H.Y. was detained.
It is reported that through an İzmir based investigation, 23 of 51 people issued with detention requests were detained on October 6, 2017. Through a Kocaeli based investigation, 21 people including 20 regular soldiers were detained. 16 people including soldiers and police officers in Maraş, 50 people including mostly university students in Konya were detained. 1 person entering Turkey from abroad was detained.
It is learned that through a Bursa based investigation 19 people were detained on October 7, 2017.
It is learned that 2 of 5 people detained on October 7, 2017 in Yalova were arrested. HDP Yalova District Co-Chair and his spouse were among detainees. Arrests occurred due to alleged ‘ByLock usage’. 3 were released with judiciary control condition. One of the arrested is HDP-Co Chair’s spouse.
It is reported that 20 of 43 soldiers detained through an Istanbul based investigation since September 24, 2017, were transferred to court on October 6, 2017. 14 were arrested and 6 were released with judiciary control condition. 11 people detained benefited from effective repentance law and were released. 12 people are still in detention.
It is reported that 4 of 36 people detained on September 26 through a Sivas based investigation, were sent to court and arrested. 35 of detainees were soldiers and 1 detainee was a police officer. One detainee ws released with judiciary control condition. With the latest arrests, 22 people in total have been detained and 14 have been released with judiciary control condition.
Through an İzmir based investigation 98 people including regular soldiers were detained on September 28, 2017. It is learned that 34 were transferred to court on October 6, 2017 and arrested. 1 was released with judiciary control condition. Detention process for 63 people continue.
(10/103) Trials of HDP MP’s…
The final trial of HDP Muş MP Burcu Çelik Özkan opened by Muş Heavy Penal Court No 1 took place on October 6, 2017. Özkan attended the trial through SEGBS from Sincan Women Prison. Following the defenses the court sentenced Özkan to 6 years for ‘aiding and harboring illegal organization despite not being a member’. Özkan was acquitted from ‘making propaganda of an illegal organization’, ‘promoting violence and hostility among public’, ‘membership of an illegal organization’. Burçu Çelik Özkan was arrested on April 19, 2017.
(10/104) Child on Trial in İstanbul for Insulting the President…
It is learned from news coverage of October 7, 2017 that a child named A.Ş. (13) was sentenced to 1 year 9 months due to allegedly insulting the President through social media posts by İstanbul Child Court No 2. The court postponed the penalty.
(10/105) Trial of Mukaddes Alataş…
Kardelen Women Shelter Coordinator and human rights activist Mukaddes Alataş’s trial for ‘membership of an illegal organization’ and ‘making propaganda of an illegal organization’ accusations by Diyarbakır 10th Heavy Penal Court started on October 9, 2017. Alataş was present in the court room and made her defense. Following the defense, court ruled for the release of Alataş and adjourned the trial to a further date. Mukaddes Alataş was detained on May 11, 2017 and later arrested on May 18, 2017.
(10/106) Trials Regarding the Incidents During Aysel Tuğluk’s Mother Funeral…
The trial for 19 defendants including 3 arrested began on October 6, 2017. The case was opened by Gölbaşı Penal Court of First Instance No 2 following the assault towards HDP co-Vice Chair Aysel Tuğluk’s mother’s funeral. The court overruled complainant attorneys request to speak on inadequacy of the indictment. Attorneys request to record the trial was also overruled due to technical drawbacks. Following the defenses the court ruled for the release of 3 defendants and adjourned the trial to a further date.
(10/107) Trials in Connection with the Coup d’État Attempt…
The final trial of 17 former employees of schools with alleged ties to the illegal organization ‘FETÖ/PDY’ took place on October 6, 2017. The case was opened by Kırıkkale Heavy Penal Court No 1. Following the defenses the court sentenced 16 people to penalties between 7 years 7 days and 6 years 3 days. 1 defendant who benefited from effective repentance law was sentenced to 2 years 2 days 7 days.
The final trial of 21 former employees of Directorate of Religious Affairs including 10 arrested, took place on October 6, 2017. Following the last defenses, Eskişehir Heavy Penal Court No 2 sentenced 19 defendants to penalties ranging from 7 years 6 months to 6 years 3 months. 2 defendant were acquitted.
The trial of 52 people including 42 arrested continued on October 6,2017. The case was opened by Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 19 regarding the actions of Etimesgut Armour Unit School and Training Division Command employees during July 15 coup attempt. Following the defenses the court ruled for the continuity of arrests and adjourned the trial date to December 18, 2017.
The trial of 45 defendants including 33 continued October 6, 2017. The case was opened by İstanbul Heavy Penal Court No14. The indictment claims that defendants who were unable to attend the coup attempt disguised themselves to act following the coup. The court ruled for the release of 8 defendants and adjourned the trial date to December 15, 2017.
[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.