5-9 May 2016 Daily Human Rights Report
(05/023) Curfew in İdil…
Müslüm İlhan (8) died when an object he found exploded on 7 May 2016 in İdil district of Şırnak where night curfew was imposed after the completion of operations.
(05/024) Extra-judicial Killing in Şanlıurfa…
Gul Mihemed Temo (40) and Mıstefa Mihemed (22) were reportedly killed, Ebdulgani El Eli (29) was heavily wounded when military troops opened fire against them while trying to pass the border from Merkabe village of Rojava to Akçakale district of Şanlıurfa province in Turkey.
(05/025) Explosion in Çaldıran…
S.A. (16-erkek) and S.A. (15-erkek) were abounded when an object they found exploded on 7 May 2016 in Çaldıran district of Van.
(05/026) Operations and Attacks in the Southeast…
The civilian Adil Bülbül who was wounded during an armed attack on 2 May 2016 against the workers of a dam construction in Kürtün district of Gümüşhane died in the hospital.
2 workers were wounded when the construction of a hydro-electric power plant in Doğankent district of Gümüşhane was attacked on 2 May 2016.
HPG claimed both attacks.
The body of Abdülkadir Çelik who was killed during armed clashes in Yüksekova district of Hakkari and transferred to Erzurum was identified on 4 May 2016 by his family.
2 soldiers were killed and 1 soldier was wounded during an armed clash that broke out on 4 May 2016 nearby Kayalıkale village of Varto district in Muş.
6 militants were reportedly killed during the operations conducted following the attack on 4 May 2016 against a gendarmerie station nearby Çığlı village of Çukurca district in Hakkari.
1 police officer who was heavily wounded on 27 April 2016 when a bomb exploded during the passage of an armoured vehicle in Varto district of Muş died on 4 May 2016 in the hospital in Ankara.
1 police officer and 1 gendarmerie soldier were killed during the armed clashes on 5 May 2016 in Nusaybin district of Mardin.
YPS General Coordination announced on 5 May 2016 that YPS members Mehmet Ağırman and Ahmet Oğul in Nusaybin district of Mardin and 1 YPS member with the codename Arjin in Şırnak were killed during the armed clashes.
1 police officer who was heavily wounded during armed clashes on 26 April 2016 in Şırnak died on 7 May 2016 in Ankara.
Governorates of Tunceli imposed curfew on 5 May 2016 in 15 villages of Mazgirt district. Entrance of civilians to the security zones was also banned. After the completion of the military operations in the region, the curfew was lifted on 6 May 2016. 1 temporary village guard was reportedly wounded during the operations.
3 militants were reportedly killed during the operations conducted on 2 May 2016 in the rural area of Lice district in Diyarbakır.
A gendarmerie station was attacked with rocket launcher on 6 May 2016 nearby Çaldağ village of Giresun. The commander of the station was killed during the attack. Peoples’ United Revolution Movement (HBDH) composed of 8 Marxist-Leninist organisations and PKK claimed the attack.
The bodies of 3 YPS members who were killed during the armed clashes in Şırnak were reportedly buried on 6 May 2016 on order of the Governorate on the grounds that the bodies were not identified.
Governorates of Van announced on 6 May 2016 that tens of regions in Van city centre and districts of the province were decided to be temporary security zones for 15 days until from 6 May 2016 to 20 May 2016. Entrance of civilians to the security zones was also banned.
3 TİKKO (Liberation Army of the Workers and Peasants of Turkey) militants from HBDH were reportedly killed during an armed clash that broke out on 7 May 2016 nearby Geyiksuyu village of Tunceli.
3 gendarmerie solider were killed and 2 soldiers were wounded when a bomb exploded on 8 May 2016 in Nusaybin district of Mardin.
(05/027) Suspicious Private Death in Tunceli…
Private Sefa Uzun who was serving for compulsory military service in Elmalı Gendarmerie Station in Tunceli allegedly died on 8 May 2016 for receiving electric shock. He was registered to Erzurum province.
(05/028) Bomb Attack in Gaziantep…
The police officer who was heavily wounded during the bomb vehicle attack on 1 May 2016 against the Security Directorate in Gaziantep died on 6 May 2016 in the hospital. The number of casualties reached 3 police officers.
(05/029) Rockets Launched from Syria to Kilis…
IS/ISIS continued to launch rockets from Syria to city centre of Kilis province on 5 May 2016. Nisa Döne Sezer (6) was killed and 10 persons including a police officer were wounded during the attacks.
(05/030) Tahir Elçi Investigation…
According to the news appeared in the press on 4 May 2016, the expert completed its crime scene investigation report concerning the killing of Tahir Elçi.
The expert reportedly alleged in its report that to determine of the weapon, firing azimuth, and the position of the victim was not possible physically and medically.
(05/031) Death in Prison…
Ferhat Sarıhan (23) incarcerated in Oltu (Erzurum) T-type Prison who was hospitalised after 9 hours after having cerebrovascular problems in his cell on the night of 2 May 2016 died on 6 May 2016 in the hospital.
(05/032) Former MP’s Condition in Prison…
According to the news appeared in the press on 2 May 2016, İzmir MP Tuncay Özkan started stem cell therapy in Germany after losing 1/3 of his liver as a consequence of the conditions in in Silivri L-type Prison between 2008 and 2014. During the examination of his liver, traces of radiation and DDT were allegedly found in his liver.
(05/033) Protester Convicted in İzmir…
İzmir Penal Court of First Instance concluded on 6 May 2016 to hear the case against Ayla Subaşı launched for reading a public statement on 22 August 2016 during a demonstration organised by the Independent Revolutionary Class Platform (BDSP) in İzmir.
The court sentenced the defendant to 10 months’ imprisonment under the Article 318 TPC for “turning people against military service”.
(05/034) Correspondent Convicted in Mardin…
Midyat (Mardin) Heavy Penal Court started on 5 May 2016 to hear the case against Murat Verim, Dicle News Agency (DİHA) correspondent and worker with the press and public relations unit of Dargeçit Municipality, who was detained during the operations conducted on 10 January 2016 in Dargeçit district of Mardin.
The court sentenced the defendant at the first hearing of the case to 6 years’ imprisonment for “committing crime in the name of an illegal organisation without being a member of the organisation”.
(05/035) Journalists on Trial…
Çağlayan (İstanbul) Heavy Penal Court No 14 concluded on 6 May 2016 to hear the case against Can Dündar, editor-in-chief of the daily Cumhuriyet, and Erdem Gül, Ankara representative of the paper. The journalist were arrested on 26 November 2016 in connection with an investigation started concerning the news appeared in the paper on the transportation of fire arms to Syria by National Intelligence Service (MİT) and realised on 25 March 2016 to be tried without remand.
The indictment wanted the defendants to be sentenced for “revealing information on the security of the state”, “political and military espionage”, “revealing confidential information”, and “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.
The court sentenced Can Dündar to 5 years and 10 months’ imprisonment for “revealing confidential information of the state” and Edem Gül to 5 years’ imprisonment for the same reason. The court acquitted the defendants of remaining accusations.
Can Dündar was organised an armed attack by Murat Şahin in front of Çağlayan Court House. He was attacked while being interview by a TV channel. Can Dündar was not wounded, but Yağız Şenkal who was making the interview was shot at leg and wounded. The attacker Murat Şahin and 4 persons were detained in connection with the attack
(05/036) Columnist on Trial on the Allegations of Insulting the State President…
İstanbul Penal Court of First Instance No 2 started on 4 May 2016 to hear the case against Işıl Özgentürk, columnist with the daily Cumhuriyet, launched in connection with her column “Southeast for very gentle, very sensitive ones (Çok nazik, çok hassas olanlar için Güneydoğu)” published on 19 August 2015. The indictment wants the defendant to be sentenced for “insulting the State President”.
After the identification and testimony of the defendant, the court adjourned the hearing to 11 October 2016 for the completion of deficient documents.
(05/037) Political Party Executives on Trial on the Allegations of Insulting the State President…
Mersin Penal Court of First Instance No 6 concluded on 4 May 2016 to hear the case against Labour Party executive for Mersin province Mehmet Taşçı launched in connection with the speech he gave during demonstration organised on 13 October 2015 in Mersin to protest in the Ankara Massacre. The indictment wants the defendant to be sentenced for “insulting the State President”.
After the final defence as to the accusations, the court acquitted the defendant on the grounds that the elements of crime were not materialised.
(05/038) Correspondent on Trial on the Allegations of Insulting the State President…
Antalya Penal Court of First Instance No 20 started on 5 May 2016 to hear the case against Dicvele News Agency (DİHA) correspondent Feyyaz İmrak launched on charges of “insulting the State President” with the twits he shared on the internet.
Feyyaz İmrak who was under arrest in another case launched on charges of “being member of an illegal organisation” testified at the hearing and the court adjourned the hearing to a later date.
(05/039) Investigations, Detentions and Arrests on the Allegations of Insulting State President…
H.A. and her/his spouse H.A. who were detained in Manavgat district of Antalya on the allegations of “insulting State President” with the messages they shared on the internet were arrested on 4 May 2016.
Fatih Feriz was detained on 5 May 2016 in Osmaniye province on the allegations of “insulting the State President” with the leaflet he was distributing for 1 May celebrations.
(05/040) Correspondents on Trial in İstanbul…
According to the news appeared in the press on 3 May 2016, a court case was launched against JINHA correspondents Ceren Karlıdağ and Öykü Dilara Keskin who were detained while following a demonstration on 15 November 2015 in İstanbul. Their press cards were also seized on the allegations that “JINHA was an illegal news agency”.
The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “making propaganda of an illegal organisation” and “violating Law on Meetings and Demonstrations”. İstanbul Heavy Penal Court No 14 wills start to hear the case on 28 June 2016.
(05/041) Web Site Banned…
On 5 May 2016, Telecommunication Communication Directorate (TİB) banned access to the new domain of Dicle News Agency (DİHA). The number of the banned domains of DİHA reached 37.
(05/042) Protest Intervened in İstanbul…
The police intervened the demonstration organised by Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) on 8 May 2016 in İstanbul to protest in the draft-law on immunity under the title “Hands off my Will and my MP (İrademe, vekilime dokunma)”. 10 persons were detained during the police intervention.
(05/043) Protest Intervened in Adana…
The police intervened the demonstration organised on 8 May 2016 in Adana under the title “Hands off my Will and my MP (İrademe, vekilime dokunma)” staged to protest in the draft-law on immunity. The police used real bullets to disperse the crowd and 1 person was shot at arm.
(05/044) Protest Intervened in Kahramanmaraş…
The soldiers intervened a demonstration staged on 7 May 2016 in Pazarcık district of Kahramanmaraş to protest in the construction of a refugee camp in Terolar region where most of the population was Alevite people. 18 persons were detained during the intervention.
(05/045) HRA Members on Trial in Erzurum…
Erzurum Heavy Penal Court No 2 started on 4 May 2016 to hear the case against Human Rights Association (HRA) members Erdal Özakçil, Yavuz Karabudak, Hamit Ateş who were arrested on 4 February 2016 after being detained during house raids in Erzurum. The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “being member of an illegal organisation” and “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”.
After the identification of the defendants, HRA members testified at the hearing in Kurdish. The court released the defendats Erdal Özakçil, Yavuz Karabudak and Hamit Ateş on TL 10,000 bond and adjourned the hearing to a later date.
(05/046) Students on Trial in Mersin…
Mersin Heavy Penal Court No 2 started on 5 May 2016 to hear the case against 30 students including 14 remanded defendants launched after a fight on 14 December 2015 between opposing groups in the campus of Mersin University. The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced for “being member of an illegal organisation”, “making propaganda of an illegal organisation”, “violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations”, “damaging public property”, and “resisting security forces”.
After the identification and testimonies of the defendants, the court decided to release 7 defendants to be tried without remand and adjourned the hearing to 24 June 2016 for the completion of testimonies.
(05/047) Self-Governance Case in Batman…
Batman Heavy Penal Court No 2 continued on 4-5 May 2016 to hear the case against 54 persons launched in connection with the self-governance declaration in Batman. The indictment wants the defendants to be sentenced on the allegations of “disrupting the unity and territorial integrity of the state”.
The defendants including Batman Co-Mayors Sabri Özdemir and Gülistan Akel testified at the hearing. The court adjourned the hearing to 5 October 2016.
(05/048) Political Party Premises Attacked in İstanbul…
Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) premises in Kartal district of İstanbul was organised an armed attack on 3 May 2016. The attack caused material damage.
(05/049) Detentions and Arrests…
5 persons including Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) executive Merve Nur İşleyici who were detained during raids conducted against dormitories and houses in Isparta were arrested on 5 May 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.
Democratic Regions Party’s (DBP) former Co-Chair for Diyarbakır province Zübeyde Zümrüt who was detained during operations in Ankara was arrested on 6 May 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.
Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP) Vice-Chair Fethiye Ok and Party Assembly member Soner Çiçek who were among 5 ESP members detained during operations conducted in Kürecik district of Malatya were arrested on 7 May 2016.
On 4 May 2016, the police raided the municipality of Derik district in Mardin and detained municipality worker Müslime Bahçeci.
Mehmet Birlik was detained on 4 May 2016 in Diyarbakır on the allegations that there was an search warrant against him issued in connection with an investigation started in Şırnak.
Dicle News Agency (DİHA) correspondent Mehmet Hakkı Yılmaz who was detained while reporting news on the bomb attack on 1 May 2016 in Gaziantep was arrested on 4 May 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”.
The police conducted house raids on 5 May 2016 in Savur district of Mardin and detained 5 persons including DİHA correspondent Abdulkadir Turay.
Adil Gür, Mazlum Gür, Keser Gür and Abdi Aslan who were among 5 persons detained during a house raid on 1 May 2016 in Hacıbekir quarter of Van were arrested on 5 May 2016 on the allegations of “being member of an illegal organisation”. Alleged PKK militant Mahmut Çar was killed during the raid.