Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center – 6 September Report
Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of September 5, 2019 that 3 prisoners kept in a solitary cell in Bursa Yenisehir Women’s Prison were threatened to death by prison director. It is also stated in the news reports that female prisoners’ wards were being searched by male wardens.
It is learned from the news coverage of September 5, 2019 that, in Agri Patnos L Type Prison, personal belongings of the prisoners were being scattered around during ward search; letters of prisoners to newspapers and news agencies, and prisoners’ social, cultural and sportive rights were being limited.
It is learned from the news coverage of September 5, 2019 that, the number of books per prisoner is limited to 10 in Kirikkale F Type Prison and that the radios of prisoners were seized.
It is learned from the news coverage of September 5, 2019 that, in Adana Kürkçüler F Type Prison, ISIS prisoners were put in the wards of political prisoners. It is also stated that ISIS prisoners shouted slogans such as “Death to those godless ones” and “We will behead the heretics” to which prison administration takes no steps to intervene.
It is learned from the news coverage of September 5, 2019 that, Ramazan Anik, a prison in Adana Kürkçüler F Type Prison, is penalised to solitary cell confinement. It is reported that the wardens entering Ramazan Anik’s room, committed physical violence against him and 2 other prisoners Fatih Özgür Aydin and Erdal Berk, in the same room.
Prevention of Right to Health in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of September 5, 2019 that prisoners in Kirikkale F Type Prison were being taken to prison infirmary with delay and those who reject being examined in handcuffs were not medically treated.
Police Interventions Against Protests After Appointment of Trustees to Diyarbakir, Mardin and Van…
The police intervened the press declaration to be held by People’s Democratic Party (HDP); at Sakarya Street in Ankara on September 5, 2019, to protest appointment of trustees to Diyarbakir, Mardin and Van. 22 people including HDP’s Ankara co-chairs are detained by the police using physical violence. It is also learned that the police prevented journalists recording the intervention. It is reported that Veli Saçilik’s head was hit down on the concrete and was taken to hospital on suspicion of head trauma. It is learned that the detainees were released on the same day. The names of detainees known so far are: Zeyno Bayramoglu, Asli Viyan Saraç, Veli Saçilik, Fatma Kiliçarslan, Hasret Irem Korucu, Betül Koca, Fatma Önen, Dilan Karaer.
The police intervened the press declaration to be held in front of Çankaya Municipality in Ankara on September 5, 2019, for the same reason, and detained 20 people. It is learned that detainees were released on the same day.
The police intervened the human chain in Baglar district of Diyarbakir on September 5, 2019, for the same reason, and detained 7 people including Lice co-mayors Tarik Mercan and Ruken Yilmaz, Diyarbakir city council members Sevim Coskun and Sehriban Zohurli.
The police intervened the press declaration in front of Türkan Saylan Cultural Center in Izmir on September 5, 2019, for the same reason. It is learned that Hacay Yilmaz and HDP executive Aziz Benli were injured due to police violence. It is reported that HDP Izmir MP Serpil Kemalbay was kicked by the police during intervention. The police prevented journalists recording the intervention and detained Seyri Sokak reporter Oktay Ince. 3 people who were detained are released on the same day after statement procedures. The names of detainees are: Oktay Ince, Ahmet Tugaç and Aziz Benli.
10 people including Human Rights Association (IHD) executive Dogan Özkan, who were detained in the police intervention against the press declaration to be held in Besiktas district of Istanbul on September 4, 2019 are released after statement procedures on September 5, 2019.
Suspended Co-Mayor and Council Members in Van…
The Ministry of Interior appointed trustees in the place of co-mayor and 4 members of city council from HDP in Çaldiran district of Van. The names who were suspended and were replaced by trustees are: Co-mayor Faruk Demir and city council members Necmettin Sahin, Pinar Demir, Hülya Darak, Mehmet Siddik Moraner.
Prosecution Against Co-Mayor…
It is learned from the news coverage of September 5, 2019 that, Mardin co-mayor Ahmet Türk who was suspended and replaced by a trustee appointed by Ministry of Interior, is subjected to a prosecution by the ministry on the grounds of “co-mayor practice”.
Union Office Was Raided by the Police in Diyarbakir…
It is reported that the banner saying “Do Not Touch to My Political Will” on Health and Social Service Employees (SES) Diyarbakir branch is removed by the police raiding the branch office.
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 1031 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on September 5, 2019 at 13.30, and at 18.00.
It was reported that during police intervention against the press declaration which was planned to be held at 13.30 on September 5, 2019, 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Nazan Bozkurt) and at 18.00 2 people (Mehmet Dersulu and Nazan Bozkurt) were detained.
Thus in total 4 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on September 5, 2019. It is learned detained people were released on the same days they were detained.
Police Raid to HDP Office in Tekirdag…
HDP’s office in Tekirdag’s Çorlu district is raided on September 5, 2019. HDP provincial co-chair Selahattin Atay and HDP member Özcan Dayan are detained in the police raid. It is learned that 2 people were released after statement procedures on the same day.
The Cases Against Academics Who Are the Signatories of the Petition “We will not be a party to this crime!”…
The case against Zeliha Burcu Acar from Van Yüzüncü Yil 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’ is held on September 5, 2019. The prosecutor demanded extra time for re-preparing the legal opinion in accordance with Constitutional Court’s decision on Academics for Peace’s appeal. The court adjourned the trial to September 30, 2019.
Journalist on Trial in Istanbul…
The final trial of the case against reporter Çagdas Erdogan on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 33 is held on September 5, 2019. The court sentenced Çagdas Erdogan to 1 year and 8 months on the charge of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ and deferred the announcement of the verdict.
Çagdas Erdogan was detained on September 2, 2017, on the grounds of picturing National Intelligence Organisation’s social facilities in Kadiköy district of Istanbul, and was arrested on September 13, 2017. Çagdas Erdogan was released on the first trial of the case held on February 13, 2018.
Journalist on Trial in Istanbul…
The case against journalist Ahmet Altan, for a column on Taraf newspaper in 2009, is held at Istanbul Penal Court of First Instance No 2 is held on September 5, 2019. The indictment demands sentence for Ahmet Altan on the charges of ‘attempt to influence a fair trial’ and ‘breaching the confidentiality of an investigation’. After defence hearings the court adjourned the trial to November 12, 2019.
The case against journalist Deniz Yücel, on the charge of ‘publicly inciting a public officer on social media posts’ is held on Istanbul Penal Court of First Instance No 24 on September 5, 2019. The court adjourned the trial to June 11, 2020.
Journalist on Trial in Van…
The case against Dicle News Agency reporter Selman Keles and Arif Aslan on Van Heavy Penal Court No 5 is held on September 5, 2019. The court adjourned the trial to January 16, 2020.
Former HDP Co-Chair on Trial…
The first trial of the case against HDP’s former co-chair Figen Yüksekdag, on the grounds of ‘insulting Turkish nation, state of Turkey and state organs’, is held on Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 12 on September 5, 2019. The indictment demands sentence from 6 months to 2 years for Figen Yüksekdag according to Article 301 of Turkish Penal Code. After defence hearings the court adjourned the trial.
Former HDP MP on Trial…
The case against former HDP Kars MP and Democratic Society Congress board member Mülkiye Birtane at Diyarbakir Heavy Penal Court No 4 on September 5, 2019. The indictment demands sentence of 15 years to 22 years and 6 months for Mülkiye Birtane on the charge of ‘establishing and leading an illegal organisation’. Mülkiye Birtane joined the trial via sound and vision system. The court decided to continue detention of Mülkiye Birtane and adjourned the trial to November 2019.
Mülkiye Birtane was detained on November 26, 2018 and was arrested on December 7, 2018.
DBP Executive on Trial in Mardin…
The case against Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Party Assembly member Bayram Demirhan and Davut Bozan, Mehmet Ali Dayan, Mehmet Ceylan, Hasan Ilhan, on Mardin Heavy Penal Court No 2 is held on September 5, 2019. After defence hearings the court decided to continue detention of 3 people (Bayram Demirhan, Mehmet Ceylan, Davut Bozan) and adjourned the trial to October 25, 2019.
Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
On September 5, 2019, 10 people including military members on active duty are detained in operations covering 8 cities through a Konya based investigating; and 2 people are detained in Edirne in alleged attempt to illegally cross to Greece.
Trials in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
The final trial of the case against Yasin Tikdag, former sub-governor of Hacilar district of Kayseri is held on Ankara Heavy Penal Court No 17 on September 5, 2019. The court sentenced the defendant to 7 years and 6 months for ‘being an illegal organisation member’.
Ban of Events in Tunceli…
Tunceli Governorate made a declaration on September 5, 2019 and announced that all events such as demonstrations, press declarations, meetings, sit-ins, opening stands and tents, festivals, concerts, delivering leaflets and so on are banned for 30 days as of September 4, 2019.
Ban of Events in Tunceli…
Bursa Governorate made a declaration on September 5, 2019 and announced that all events such as demonstrations, press declarations, meetings, sit-ins, opening stands and tents, delivering leaflets and so on which would be held to protest trustee appointments to Mardin, Van and Diyarbakir, are banned for 15 days as of September 5, 2019.
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