TIHV Human Rights Report – Kurdish Centre for Human Rights

Human Rights Foundation of Turkey Documentation Center 10-19 February 2020 Daily Human Rights Report

Police Intervention to a Protest in Istanbul…
The police intervened the press declaration for Mustafa Koçak, İbrahim Gökçek and Helin Bölek, at Khalkedon Square in Kadıköy district of Istanbul on February 18, 2020 and detained 2 people (Aygül Bilgi and Yaşar Coşkun). It is learned that 2 people were released on the same day. Mustafa Koçak is on death fast for 231 days in Izmir Şakran T Type Prison, to demand a fair trial. İbrahim Gökçek and Helin Bölek have gone on a hunger strike on June 18, 2019 and İbrahim Gökçek turned his strike to a death fast on January 3, 2020 and Helin Bölek did it so on January 20, 2020.

Detained Reporter&Journalist in Istanbul…
Kanal D TV channel reporter Şevval Şirin is detained at a school in Esenyurt district of Istanbul where she went for a news report on February 18, 2020. It is learned that school principal called the police to the school. It is also learned that Şevval Şirin’s phone was seized without a court order and she was kept in closed room for hours. It is reported that Şevval Şirin was released on the same day and she made an official complaint against the police officers.
It is learned that journalist and writer Müfid Yüksel was detained in Istanbul on February 18, 2020 and was released by the court on the same day.

Detained People in Batman…Urfa…Malatya…Mardin…
6 people who were detained on February 15, 2020 in Batman, are released by the court on judicial control conditions on February 18, 2020.
13 people who were detained in Bozova district of Urfa on February 11, 2020, are released by the court on judicial control conditions on February 18, 2020.
On February 18, 2020, 1 person is detained on the grounds of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’, in a house raid of gendarmerie in Akçadağ district of Malatya
14 people who were detained in Mardin on February 7, 2020 and following days, are released by the court on February 18, 2020.

Osman Kavala is Detained Again…
Osman Kavala was acquitted and decided to be released by Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 30 on February 18, 2020. However, he is not released from prison and is detained once again through an investigation related to July 15 coup attempt against him.

Gezi Case…
The final trial of the case against Osman Kavala, Yiğit Aksakoğlu, Ali Hakan Altınay, Ayşe Mücella Yapıcı, Ayşe Pınar Alabora, Can Dündar, Çiğdem Mater Utku, Gökçe Yılmaz, Handan Meltem Arıkan, Hanzade Hikmet Germiyanoğlu, İnanç Ekmekçi, Mehmet Ali Alabora, Mine Özerden, Şerafettin Can Atalay, Tayfun Kahraman and Yiğit Ali Ekmekçi, for Gezi Park protests in 2013, is held on February 18, 2020.
After defence hearings the court acquitted 9 people (Osman Kavala, Mücella Yapıcı, Can Atalay, Tayfun Kahraman, Ali Hakan Altınay, Yiğit Aksakoğlu, Yiğit Ali Ekmekçi, Çiğdem Mater Utku and Mine Özerden) and decided to release Osman Kavala. The court separated the cases against 7 people (Can Dündar, Mehmet Ali Alabora, Ayşe Pınar Alabora, Gökçe Tüylüoğlu, Handan Meltem Arıkan, Hanzade Hikmet Germiyanoğlu and İnanç Ekmekçi) and lifted the detention warrants for them.
It is learned that the prosecutor’s office will appeal to Regional Court.
Business person Osman Kavala was arrested on November 1, 2017. Yiğit Aksakoğlu was arrested on November 18, 2018 and was released at the first trial on June 24, 2019. European Court of Human Rights ruled immediate release of Osman Kavala on December 10, 2019, however Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 14 decided to continue detention.

Özgür Gündem Case…
The trial of the case against director Veysi Algan and Hüseyin Süzügen on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 22 for participating in “Editors in Chief on Watch” campaign to support Özgür Gündem newspaper which was closed down by a state of emergency decree, is held on February 18, 2020. The court adjourned the trial to February 28, 2020.

Journalist on Trial in Batman…
The trial of the case against Dicle News Agency reporter Şerife Oruç, on the grounds of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ is held at Batman Heavy Penal Court No 2 on February 18, 2020. The court issued a detention warrant for Şerife Oruç for violating judicial control conditions and adjourned the trial to May 12, 2020.
Şerife Oruç was arrested on July 5, 2016 and was released on judicial control conditions on July 9, 2018.

People on Trial in Izmir…
The final trial of the case against 90 people, for participating in the protest to demand mother tongue based education, is held at Izmir Penal Court of First Instance No 2 on February 18, 2020. The court sentenced 90 people to 5 months each for ‘violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations’. The protest was organized by Izmir branches of Education and Science Workers’ Union (Egitim-Sen) of Confederation of Public Employees Unions (KESK) and several Alevi associations and was held on February 13, 2015 in Konak district of Izmir, where police intervened and detained 90 people by using physical violence.

Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
On February 18, 2020, 304 people are detained in operations covering 67 cities through an Ankara based investigation on police chief exam of 2009; 123 people including military members on active duty are detained in operations covering 43 cities through an Izmir based investigation; 50 people are detained in operations covering 15 cities through an Ankara based investigation on Ministry of Justice personnel; 29 people including military members on active duty are detained through an Ankara based investigation on Land Forces Command; 9 people are detained in operations covering 3 cities through an Amasya based investigation.

Ban of Event in Ankara…
Ankara Governorate banned the concert organized by Mamak Community House for solidarity with Grup Yorum band on February 18, 2020.

18 February 2020
Person Was Forced to be Police Informant in Ankara…
It is learned from the news coverage of February 17, 2020 that, People’s Democratic Party (HDP) board delegate member Saim Serin was forced to be a police informant by persons claim themselves as police officers, after he got off a city bus in Ankara on February 9, 2020.
Saim Serin stated the following: “The bus was supposed to go to Kızılay but it arrived to Beşevler. The bus driver said it was the last stop and asked me to get off. I thought I was mistaken and got off the bus. But I checked the bus number, I was not mistaken, it was number 286. At that moment two people came to me and claimed to be police officers, and told me that they want to have a chat with me. Although I told that I did not want, they forcefully took me to a cafe. They asked questions about HDP, like ‘Which executives of HDP do you know’, ‘who is responsible for what’, ‘why you are not executive any more’, ‘why are you a member of HDP’ and etc… They gave me a phone number and told that I could call them any time. And they said ‘you have little kids at school, we could help you in any way’ lastly before they left.”

Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of February 17, 2020 that, in Izmir Şakran Women’s Prison, radios of prisoners are seized, personal belongings of prisoners are scattered around and some are seized, social, cultural and sports rights of prisoners are prevented, letters sent to prisoners are not delivered and letters they wrote are not sent, and some products at prison commissary store are expired.
It is learned from the news coverage of February 17, 2020 that, Abdülkadir Baybars, a prisoner who is kept in single cell in Osmaniye T Type Prison was subjected to physical violence of the wardens.
It is learned from the news coverage of February 17, 2020 that, in Izmir Şakran Women’s Prison, prisoners are referred to hospitals with months of delay and they are forced to be examined in handcuffs.

Police Intervention Against “I Want My Job Back” Protest in Ankara…
The police intervened the sit-in protest after press declaration of public labourers who had been dismissed by a state of emergency decree and have been struggling 1196 days to regain their jobs, in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on February 17, 2020 at 13.30, and forced 2 people (Nazan Bozkurt and Alev Şahin) away the street by using physical violence. Sercan Çakır and U. A. (17), including a juvenile, who react to police intervention are detained by the police using physical violence and handcuffing them behind their backs. At 18.00 the police did not intervene.
The police intervened the protestors in front of Çankaya Public Health Directorate on February 17, 2020, who rally to regain their jobs from which they had been dismissed by state of emergency decrees, and detained 3 people (Mahmut Konuk and Eser Budak and Nazan Bozkurt who was recording). It is learned that 3 people were released the same day.

Police Prevention to a Declaration in Diyarbakır…
The press declaration of People’s Democratic Party (HDP) for its 4th Congress, which was to be held in Ofis neighbourhood of Diyarbakır on February 17, 2020, is prevented by the police on the grounds of Diyarbakır Governorate’s “ban on open-door declarations”.

Police Prevention to a Declaration in Van…
The police prevented distribution of leaflets for HDP’s 4th Congress in Van on February 14, 2020, on the grounds of governorate’s ban on events.

Detained Former MP in Kars…
Former MP Mahmut Alınak who was detained in Kars on February 13, 2020, because of his book “Mehmet Tunç and Bêkes”, is arrested by the court on February 17, 2020, according to Article 302 of Turkish Penal Code which defines crimes ‘to place all, or part, of the territory of the state under the sovereignty of a foreign state or to disrupt the unity of the state or to weaken the independence of the state’.
Mahmut Alınak’s book “Mehmet Tunç and Bêkes” was banned by Istanbul Penal Court of Peace No 2 on December 5, 2019.

Detained HDP Executive in Van…
HDP Party Assembly member Yunus Durdu, who was detained from HDP Van MP Murat Sarısaç’s car that was stopped by a civilian car on February 14, 2020, is arrested by the court on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ on February 17, 2020.

Detained People in Ankara…Diyarbakır…Tunceli…Istanbul…Mardin…
10 people who were detained in Ankara on February 14, 2020, are released on February 17, 2020 provided that 3 of them are on judicial control conditions.
It is learned that 20 people including HDP provincial executive İrfan Söner, HDP Bağlar district co-chair Mehmet Atlıhan, HDP Yenişehir district co-chair Sadrettin Kaya, Democratic Islam Congress member Mele Yusuf Andan, DBP Bağlar district executive Ali Alkan, HDP Bağlar district executive Abdullah Dengiz and former member of Bağlar district council Rıfat Turfan, who were detained in house raids in Diyarbakır on February 14, 2020, are released on February 17, 2020. 4 people are released on judicial control conditions: İrfan Söner, Halef Caruş, Hasan Çiçek and Halis Tekok.
7 university students who were detained in Tunceli on February 14, 2020 are released on February 17, 2020 provided that 1 of them is on judicial control conditions. It is learned that students were forced to be police informants under custody. Names of students are: Hazal Öztemel, Mustafa Abdaloğulları, Şiyar Şevli, Dilaver Paksoy, Kahraman Yıldız, Cengiz Fidan and Firaz Tekol.
7 people who were detained in Istanbul on February 14, 2020 are released on February 17, 2020 provided that 2 of them are on judicial control conditions.
8 people who were detained in Mardin on February 15, 2020 are released on February 17, 2020.

Detained People in Şırnak for Social Media Posts…
12 people who were detained in Cizre district of Şırnak on February 14, 2020 for their social media posts are released on February 17, 2020.

Co-Mayor on Trial in Hakkari…
The first trial of the case against Hakkari co-mayor Cihan Karaman is held at Hakkari Heavy Penal Court No 2 on February 17, 2020. After defence hearings the court decided to continue detention of Cihan Karaman and adjourned the trial to April 24, 2020. Cihan Karaman was detained on October 15, 2019 and was arrested by the court on October 17, 2019. Ministry of Interior appointed governor as a trustee to Hakkari Municipality on October 17, 2019.

Journalist on Trial in Diyarbakır…
The trial of the case against Ferhat Parlak, reporter and grant holder of Silvan Mücadele newspaper is held at Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 11 on February 17, 2020. The indictment demands sentence for Ferhat Parlak on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’. The court decided to send a writ for anonymous witnesses and to desist from hearing anonymous witnesses in case of refusal to writ and adjourned the trial to May 6, 2020. Ferhat Parlak was detained in Diyarbakır on April 11, 2018 and was arrested on April 14, 2018. He was released by the court on July 8, 2019.

People on Trial in Diyarbakır…
The retrial of the case against 14 students of Dicle University, for participating in a protest of Roboski Massacre, is held at Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 9 on February 17, 2020. 14 people have been acquitted by the court but Supreme Court has reversed the verdict. After defence hearings the court sentenced 14 people to 3 years 1 month and 15 days each on the charge of ‘committing crime on behalf of the organisation although not being a member’.

People on Trial in Kocaeli…
The final trial of the case against 12 students of Kocaeli University, for events they attended and books they have in their houses, is held at Kocaeli Heavy Penal Court No 5 on February 17, 2020.
The court sentenced 10 people to jail penalties from 6 years to 7 years and 6 months on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’. The court acquitted 2 people.

People on Trial in Kırklareli…
The retrial of the case against 230 people for participating in Gezi Park protests in 2013 is held at Kırklareli Penal Court of First Instance No 2 on February 2020. The court has acquitted 230 people but Supreme Court has reversed the verdict.
After defence hearings the court acquitted 230 people.

15 – 17 February 2020
Asylum Seeker Died in Van…
It is learned that on February 15, 2020, 29 Afghan asylum seekers were stopped by border units in Saray district of Van while they were crossing to Turkey, and 1 of them died in hospital due to hypothermia.

Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of February 16, 2020 that, 12 prisoners who were transferred from Tekirdağ T Type Closed Prison No 1 to Tekirdağ F Type Prison No 1 under coercion, were subjected to insults of soldiers during transfer; were forced to strip search at the entrance of prison and were subjected to physical violence of the wardens for rejecting strip search. It is learned that 3 prisoners were transferred to Tekirdağ F Type Prison No 2 under coercion and they were subjected to physical violence of the wardens for rejecting to be forced to strip search.
It is learned from the news coverage of February 16, 2020 that, personal belongings of prisoners in Bakırköy Closed Women’s Prison were scattered around, radios of prisoners were seized and some prisoners reacting to it were subjected to physical violence of the wardens during the search on February 14, 2020.
It is learned from the news coverage of February 16, 2020 that, 25 prisoners were transferred from Balıkesir Bandırma Closed Prison to Afyon T Type Prison No 1 under coercion on February 12, 2020; and they were subjected to physical violence of the soldiers during transfer. It is reported that 25 prisoners were put in single cells and were not treated. Names of prisoners are: Mehmet Emin Süer, A. Aziz Kolonç, Abdullah Ongüllü, Cengiz Oktay, Dijwar Nesri İsmare, Engin Okuducu, Habil Ermen, Haki Sonsuz, Hasari Yumşak, İzzethan Aykut, M. Salih Atlı, Mehmet Dağ, Nizamettin Mahmutoğlu, Yusuf Birkan, Akif İpek, Fevzi Adanır, Hayrettin Yılmaz, Hüseyin Akman, Nail Demir, Selim Üldeş, Şevket Bilner, Cihat Oğraş, Kerem Budak, Rızgar Turhan and Selman Esmer.

People Subjected to Police Violence in Istanbul…Şırnak…
It is learned that People’s Democratic Party (HDP) Esenyurt district former co-chair Edip Karçik’s house in Istanbul was raided by the police on February 15, 2020; and that Edip Karçik and family members at home were forced to lie down on the grounds and were subjected to physical violence of the police. It is reported that Edip Karçik and Mikail Karçik were taken to hospital due to violence, and that the police said it was “wrong house” and left house.
It is learned that the police raided house of Murat Şen, İdil co-mayor who was suspended, in Şırnak on February 15, 2020 and Murat Şen’s 90 years old mother Fatim Şen and his brother Abdurrahim Şen were subjected to physical violence of the police. Murat Şen’s brother Nurettin Şen is detained.

Police Intervention Against “I Want My Job Back” Protest in Ankara…
The police intervened the sit-in protests after press declaration of public labourers who had been dismissed by a state of emergency decree and have been struggling 1195 days to regain their jobs, in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on February 14, 15, and 16, 2020 at 13.30, and at 18.00.
It was reported that the police intervened the press declaration at 13.30 on February 14, 2020, and detained 2 people (Nazan Bozkurt and Merve Demirel).
It was reported that that the police intervened the sit-in protest after press declaration at 13.30 on February 15, 2020, and forced Mehmet Dersulu (4 times), Nazan Bozkurt (2 times) and Alev Şahin away the street by using physical violence.
It was reported that that the police intervened the sit-in protest after press declaration at 13.30 on February 16, 2020, and forced Mehmet Dersulu away the street by using physical violence. It is learned that at 18.00 a group of 4 people attacked Mehmet Dersulu while he was recording the protest. It is reported that attackers were detained by the police. After press declaration, the police forced Mehmet Dersulu away the street by dragging him.
Thus in total 2 people were detained in police interventions in Yüksel Street on February 14, 15, and 16, 2020. It is learned detained people were released on the same days they were detained.

Police Intervention to a Protest in Istanbul…
The police intervened the press declaration for Mustafa Koçak, who is on death fast for 228 days in Izmir Şakran T Type Prison, to demand a fair trial, which was held on February 15, 2020 at Khakledon Square in Kadıköy district of Istanbul and detained Mustafa Koçak’s parents Hasan Koçak and Zeynep Koçak.
The police intervened the press declaration of Resistance Assembly, about death fast of Mustafa Koçak, İbrahim Gökçek, Helin Bölek and Progressive Lawyers Association members at Khalkedon Square in Kadıköy district of Istanbul on February 15, 2020 and detained 2 people (Volkan Çeşme and Batuhan Şendağı).

Prevention of Saturday Mothers’ Protest in Istanbul…
Police obstructed all the streets around Galatasaray Square in Istanbul to prevent Saturday Mothers who rally every Saturday for 23 years in the same place to gather for the 777th time on February 15, 2020. Upon police prevention, the group including representatives of political parties, human rights defenders and artists along with families of disappeared people held a press declaration on the street of Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul office.

Prevention of Human Rights Defenders’ Event in Istanbul…
“F sit-in”, which is organized for the 412nd time by Human Rights Association (IHD) Istanbul Branch Prison Watch Committee, to demand release of ill prisoners, on February 15, 2020, is prevented by the police. The police obstructed all the streets around Galatasaray Square. Human rights defenders made the press declaration in front of IHD Istanbul office.

Detained People in Adana…
On February 14, 2020, Berfin Doğan and Kemal Kaya, 2 of 7 people including 1 child who were detained on February 11, 2020, through an investigation against DEM Music Center in Adana, are arrested by the court on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’. 5 people [Şirda Erol, D. S. (15), İlyas Arzu, Jiyan Savcı and Hakan Taş] are released on judicial control conditions.
It is learned that 11 people who were detained on February 15, 2020 in house raids in Adana for their social media posts, are released on judicial control conditions on February 16, 2020.

Detained Trade Union Executive, Political Party Executives and City Council Member in Ağrı…
On February 14, 2020, 3 of 6 people (Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions Ağrı branch chair Ersin Erinçik, HDP central district co-chair İsmail Çiftçi, HDP central district executive Eşref Yıldırım) who were detained on February 12, 2020 in Ağrı, are arrested by the court on the charge of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’. 3 people (HDP district executive Ömer Taş, city council member Sabri Taşdemir and Hamit Taşdemir, former executive of Democratic Regions Party [DBP]) are released on judicial control conditions.

Detained People in Batman…Diyarbakır…Mardin…Şırnak…Tunceli…Urfa…Van…
It is learned that 4 people are detained in house raids in Batman on February 15, 2020. Detained people are: Hasan Balicak, Sait Kortun, Abdullah İltaş and Abdulvahap Tüzün.
It is learned that at least 20 people are detained in house raids in Diyarbakır on February 14, 2020. Detained people are: HDP provincial executive İrfan Söner, HDP Bağlar district co-chair Mehmet Atlıhan, HDP Yenişehir district co-chair Sadrettin Kaya, Democratic Islam Congress member Mele Yusuf Andan, DBP Bağlar district executive Ali Alkan, HDP Bağlar district executive Abdullah Dengiz, Rıfat Turfan, HDP Diyarbakır provincial executive Mele Abdullah Arkan, Hasan Çiçek, Mehmet Özçelik, Fuat Öner, Hacı Eroğlu, Halis Tekok and İlknur Meygil.
On February 15, 2020, 8 people are detained in Kızıltepe, Dargeçit, Nusaybin and Artuklu districts of Mardin. Detained people are: Ahmet Seyhan, Mazlum Acar, Abdulselam Nergiz, Sait Sırdaş and Duygu Aykut.
4 people (Abdulhalil Özcan, Ahmet Özcan, Mehmet Hazar and Halil Beğenir) who were detained on the grounds of social media posts, in Şırnak on February 15, 2020, are released on February 16, 2020.
3 people (district council member Hikmet Zan, Mehmet Fidan and Nurettin Şen) who were detained in house raids in İdil district of Şırnak on February 15, 2020 are released on the same day after statement procedures. It is learned that the reason of detention was a funeral they attended in 2014.
It is learned that 10 people are detained in house raids in Cizre district of Şırnak on February 15, 2020. Detained people are: Aziz Erkul, Nupelda Geren, Serhat İnanç and Mikail Bayık.
On February 14, 2020, 7 students are detained in house raids in Tunceli. It is learned that 7 people started hunger strike under custody at Tunceli Police Directorate.
12 people who were detained in central, Viranşehir, Siverek and Hilvan districts of Urfa on February 14, 2020, on the grounds of ‘insulting the President’ and social media posts, are released on February 16, 2020.
It is learned that 65 people including Mezopotamya News Agency reported Yunus Duman were detained in Van on February 13 and 14, 2020 and that 34 of them were released on February 16, 2020 while 29 of them are still under custody.

Detained HDP Executive in Van…
It is learned that a civilian car stopped HDP Van MP Murat Sarısaç’s car on February 14, 2020 in Van, and detained HDP Party Assembly member Yunus Durdu by forcing him out of the car. Murat Sarısaç shared a video recording of the moments, stating that the car was following his car for a while and the persons in the car hide their faces when he asked who they were.

Özgür Gündem Main Case…
The final trial of the case against executive editor Zana Kaya, managing editor İnan Kızılkaya, grant holder Kemal Sancılı, editorial consultants Aslı Erdoğan, Necmiye Alpay, Filiz Koçali, Ragıp Zarakolu and Bilge Aykut and writer Eren Keskin of Özgür Gündem newspaper which was closed down by a state of emergency decree, is held on Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 23 on February 14, 2020. The court separated the cases against Filiz Koçali, Ragıp Zarakolu, Zana Kaya, İnan Kızılkaya, Kemal Sancılı and Eren Keskin. The court acquitted Necmiye Alpay, Bilge Aykut and Aslı Erdoğan.

Grup Yorum Band Members on Trial in Istanbul…
The first trial of the case against Grup Yorum band members İbrahim Gökçek, Emel Yeşilırmak, Ümit İlter, Caferi Sadık Eroğlu, Barış Yüksel and Betül Varan on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ is held at Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 37 on February 14, 2020. İbrahim Gökçek, who is on death fast for 242 days is brought to the courtroom from Silivri Prison. The court acquitted Barış Yüksel, and decided to continue detention of İbrahim Gökçek, Emel Yeşilırmak, Ümit İlter, Caferi Sadık Eroğlu. The court adjourned the trial to March 26 and 27, 2020.

Person on Trial in Istanbul…
The final trial of the case against Esin Kavruk, on the charge of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ in her social media posts about Turkish Armed Forces operation to north and south Syria, is held at Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 36 on February 14, 2020. The court sentenced Esin Kavruk to 1 year 10 months and 15 days for ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’.
Esin Kavruk was arrested on October 11, 2019 and was released on January 23, 2020. On November 28, 2019, her ward in Bakırköy Women’s Prison was raided by police to forcefully get a DNA sample from her.

Investigation Against Parliamentary Member…
It is learned that an investigation is initiated by Van Public Prosecutor’s Office against HDP Van MP Murat Sarısaç, for he recorded the persons in a civilian car which has been following him, stopped him and detained HDP Party Assembly member Murat Sarısaç who was in the car. It is reported that the investigation was on the grounds of ‘aiding and abetting an illegal organisation’ and ‘insulting a public officer’.

Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
On February 15, 2020, 1 person is detained in Sincan district of Ankara.
6 of 27 people who were detained in operations covering 22 cities through a Konya based investigation on February 4, 2020, are arrested on February 14, 2020. 21 people are released on judicial control conditions.

13 February 2020
People Subjected to Torture and Ill-Treatment of Police in Mersin…
It is learned from the news coverage of February 12, 2020 that, the police raided house of Mehmet Beyhan, member of People’s Democratic Party (HDP) Youth Assembly in Mersin on February 11, 2020 and committed physical and verbal violence to persons in the house and held gun to their heads.
Mehmet Beyhan’s brother Cindi Beyhan stated the following: “The police hold a gun to my 11 years old kid’s head, asked his name and beat him. They scattered everything around. They pulled my 17 years old daughter’s hair, pushed her to the ground, stepped on her back and beat her; asked her name and hold a gun to her head. They kept holding guns to my daughter Zehra and son Erhan, and beat them. They beat us, they tormented us.”

Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…
It is learned from the news coverage of February 12, 2020 that, journalist Aziz Oruç who is kept in Patnos L Type Prison is not given the books, letters and clothes sent to him.

Hunger Strike in Prison…
It is learned that Şerif Mesutoğlu, who was on hunger strike in Siverek T Type Prison for 229 to demand a fair trial, ended his strike on February 12, 2020. Şerif Mesutoğlu has been sentenced to heavy life imprisonment through the case about Derik district sub-governor Muhammed Safitürk’s death.

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 1191 days to regain their jobs, intended to be held in front of Human Rights Monument in Yüksel Street on February 12, 2020 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 February 12, 2020, 2 people (Alev Şahin and Mehmet Dersulu) and at 18.00 3 people (Merve Demirel, Nazan Bozkurt and Sercan Çakır) were detained. Thus in total 5 people were detained due to press declaration intended to be held in Yüksel Street on February 12, 2020. It is learned detained people were released on the same days they were detained.

Detained Trade Union Executive, Political Party Executives and City Council Member in Ağrı…
On February 12, 2020 5 people (Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions Ağrı branch chair Ersin Erinçik, HDP central district co-chair İsmail Çiftçi, HDP central district executives Ömer Taş, city council member Sabri Taşdemir and Hamit Taşdemir, former executive of Democratic Regions Party [DBP]) are detained in house raids in Ağrı. The reason of detention is unknown.

Detained Local Authority and Other People in Muş…
On February 12, 2020, 8 people including Salih Söylemez, local authority of Kazgöl village, are detained in house raids in Kazgöl, Aslankaya and Yaramış villages of Malazgirt district of Muş. It is learned that 8 people are taken to Malazgirt District Gendarmerie Command however the reason of detention is unknown.

Detained HDP Executive in Bitlis…
On February 12, 2020, Rumet Dursun, provincial co-chair of HDP in Bitlis is detained in a house raid in Tatvan district of Bitlis.

Detained People in Antep…
On February 12, 2020, 12 people are detained on the grounds of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’ in house raids in Antep.

Journalist on Trial in Istanbul…
The first trial of the case against Cumhuriyet newspaper reporter Zehra Çelenk, on the grounds of mentioning an anonymous witness’ name in a report, is held at Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 27 on February 12, 2020. After defence hearings the court adjourned the trial to April 14, 2020.

HDP Executives and Members on Trial in Van…
On February 10, 2020, the first trial of the case against 12 people (5 of them are arrested) including Yadişen Karabulak, former provincial co-chair of HDP in Van, was held at Van Heavy Penal Court No 7 and the court has released 4 arrested defendants. It is learned that the prosecutor’s office objected the release and the court accepted the objection. Fikret Doğan and Yadişen Karabulak are detained again on February 12, 2020.

Trials in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
The final trial of the case against Selman Gülen is held at Adana Heavy Penal Court No 12 on February 12, 2020. The court sentenced the defendant to 6 years and 3 months on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’.
The final trial of the case against Faruk Güllü is held at Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 23 on February 12, 2020. The court sentenced the defendant to 8 years and 9 months on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’.

Ban of Events in Hakkari…
Hakkari Governorate made a declaration on February 12, 2020 and announced that, all open-door events such as demonstrations, press declarations, meetings, sit-ins, opening stands and tents, festivals, concerts, delivering leaflets and so on are banned for 15 days as of February 13, 2020. All events are banned in Hakkari for 328 days since April 4, 2019.

Ban of Access to a Website…
It is learned from the news coverage of February 12, 2020 that, access to a news report on evrensel.net website, about dismissal of a teacher at private Maya school, is banned to access by Ankara Penal Court of Peace on February 10, 2020.

12 February 2020
People Subjected to Torture and Ill-Treatment of the Police in Diyarbakır…
It is learned from the news coverage of February 11, 2020 that, the police raid a house in Kayapınar district of Diyarbakır and detained a 17 years old child named T. T. in the house. It is learned that during the raid the police put a gun to head of T. T. and of a 3 years old baby. T. T. was released after statement procedures on the same day.
T.’s mother stated the following: “The doorbell rang. We were surprised to hear the doorbell this time since the police usually uses a hammerhead to raid in our house. They came when my child was preparing to go to school. As soon as my son opened the door they forced him lie down on the ground putting a gun to his head. I told them that my son was 17 years old, but they waited him in this position for minutes. I tried to stop them. They took him in the kitchen when I intervened them. They did not tell the reason of detention. They searched the house, scattering everything around. My grandchild was at home, they put a gun to his head too.”

Torture and Ill-Treatment in Erzurum…
It is learned that İrfan Arslan, one of 3 people who were subjected to torture and ill-treatment during raid of security forces to a house in Çavuş village of Karayazı district of Erzurum on February 8, 2020, is arrested by the court on the charge of ‘aiding an illegal organisation’ on February 11, 2020. 2 people (Şevin Arslan and Halis Arslan) are released on judicial control conditions.
It is learned from the news coverage that İrfan Arslan who was hospitalized due to torture and ill-treatment that he was subjected during raid, has rib fracture, and wounds at forehead, nose and head.

Torture and Ill-Treatment in Prison…
People’s Law Office declared on February 11, 2020 that their client Hakan İnci was subjected to physical violence of the wardens in Edirne F Type Prison.

Police Intervention to a Protest in Istanbul…
The police intervened the press declaration for Mustafa Koçak, İbrahim Gökçek and Helin Bölek, at Khalkedon Square in Kadıköy district of Istanbul on February 11, 2020 and detained İsmail Kara. İsmail Kara is released on the same day. Mustafa Koçak is on death fast for 225 days in Izmir Şakran T Type Prison, to demand a fair trial. İbrahim Gökçek and Helin Bölek have gone on a hunger strike on June 18, 2019 and İbrahim Gökçek turned his strike to a death fast on January 3, 2020 and Helin Bölek did it so on January 20, 2020.The police intervened the press declaration for Mustafa Koçak, İbrahim Gökçek and Helin Bölek, at Özgürlük Square in Bakırköy district of Istanbul on February 11, 2020 and detained 2 people (Baki Can Işık and Aygül Bilgi).

Detained Person in Istanbul…
Arlet Natali Avazyan is detained in Istanbul on February 11, 2020 for her social media posts. Arlet Natali Avazyan is released after statement procedures at the police on February 12, 2020.

Arrested Person in Istanbul ‘Insulting the President’…
On February 11, 2020, Ayten Sarıkaya Kesler, who came to Istanbul from Switzerland is detained on the grounds of ‘insulting the President’ in her social media posts and is arrested by the court on the same day. It is reported that Ayten Sarıkaya Kesler, who has cancer, deteriorated and taken to hospital and that she would be taken to prison after treatment. It is also claimed in the news reports that Ayten Sarıkaya Kesler was enforced to sign the interrogation report while she was unconscious.

Arrested City Council Member in Muş…
Şengül Çiçek, Varto city council member; People’s Democratic Party (HDP) Varto district co-chair Atik Yıldız, and Bektaş Han, former district executive of HDP who were detained in house raids in Varto district of Muş on February 11, 2020 are referred to the court on the same day. Şengül Çiçek is arrested on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ and 2 people are released.

Detained People in Adana…Urfa…Mersin…
2 people including 1 child (Şirda Erol and 15 years old D. S.) are detained in house raids in Adana through an investigation against DEM Music Center on February 11, 2020. 4 people (İlyas Arzu, Jiyan Savcı, Hakan Taş and Berfin Doğan) were detained earlier through the same investigation and detention period for these people was extended 4 more days.
On February 11, 2020, 13 people are detained on the charges of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ and ‘aiding an illegal organisation’, in house raids in Koçova neighbourhood of Bozova district of Urfa. It is learned that 5 of them (Mehmet Yıldırım, Tacettin Gül, İbrahim Polat, Mahmut Pehlivan and İskender Şeker) are taken to Bozova District Gendarmerie Command; and 8 people are taken to Urfa. Detained people are: Mehmet Yıldırım, Kenan Yıldırım, Müslüm Yıldırım, Yılmaz Doğan, Tacettin Gül, Abdullah Polat, İbrahim Polat, Mustafa Yıldız, İskender Şeker, Emin Zincirkıran, Mahmut Pehlivan, Ayhan Atmaca and Mustafa Taş.
On February 11, 2020, 12 people including 2 children are detained on the charge of ‘being an illegal organisation member’ in house raids in Mersin. Names of detained people known so fare are: S. A., V. Ç., Ferhat Salman, Mehmet Beyhan, Resul Demir, Mustafa Koç, Barış Şen and Yusuf Keskin.

Co-Mayor on Trial in Diyarbakır…
The indictment of Diyarbakır Public Prosecutor’s Office against Cemal Özdemir, HDP co-mayor of Sur district of Diyarbakır, is accepted by Diyarbakır Heavy Penal Court No 8. The indictment accuses Cemal Özdemir for 22 activities he participated in, statement of an anonymous witness and 3 social media posts and demands jail sentence from 17 years and 6 months to 36 years for Cemal Özdemir, on the charges of ‘being an illegal organisation member’, ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’, ‘possession of hazardous substances without permission’ and ‘selling, purchasing, carrying and owning weapons and/or bullets which are severe in terms of quality’. The first trial will be held on March 10, 2020.

Journalists on Trial in Van…
The trial of the case against Sibel Eres, Kadir Cesur, Nahide Aslan, Gülsün Altan, announcers of Van TV channel which was closed down by a state of emergency decree; managing director Koçali Özipek and shareholders Gürcan Bayrakçı and Nedim Dalga, is held at Van Heavy Penal Court No 4 on February 11, 2020.
The indictment demands sentence for 8 people on the charge of ‘making propaganda for an illegal organisation’.
After defence hearings the court adjourned the trial to May 7, 2020.

People on Trial in Istanbul…
The first trial of the case against 7 people (Ayfer Yılmaz, Muzaffer İpek, Türkan Sünbül, Elvan Uçar, Mürvet Kesen, Zübeyde Ağırbaş, Maynur Yılmaz) is held at Istanbul Heavy Penal Court No 36 on February 11, 2020. 7 people were detained on November 24, 2019, while they were distributing leaflets on International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women in Esenyurt district of Istanbul, and were arrested by the court.
After defence hearings the court released 7 people on judicial control conditions and adjourned the trial to March 10, 2020.

Detentions and Arrests in Alleged Link to Coup Attempt…
On February 11, 2020, 14 people are detained in operations covering 4 cities through an Istanbul based investigation.

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