Suspects Kept Under Detention In Courthouse Lobby Without Court Order

Turkish riot police have been preventing their colleagues, who were earlier detained as part of an investigation into wiretapping allegations, from leaving a courthouse in İstanbul despite a detention order.

The incident took place on Saturday when 49 police officials tried to leave the courthouse in Çağlayan with their lawyers. When they were headed to the exit through the Gate C, riot police immediately surrounded them and prevented their colleagues from leaving the building. The lawyers protested the measure and asked the riot police to show an order of detention. Among the police officials who are being de facto detained in the middle of the courthouse's lobby are former İstanbul anti-terrorism unit chief Yurt Atayün and Ömer Köse.

Meanwhile, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) lawmaker Mahmut Tanal told riot police that they are committing a crime by restricting the suspects' right to freedom. Tanal briefly talked to the police chief supervising the police officers and had an argument with him after the police chief refused to set the suspects free. Tanal told the media that police officers who are under de facto detention should be set free.

"You cannot keep anybody under detention without any court order. This is a crime," Tanal said.

SHOTLIST
TURKEY, ISTANBUL, 26 JUNE 2014

VAR of the detained police officers trying to leave the building
Other police officers trying to prevent them
VAR of the chaos in the courthouse
VAR of the riot police take into the chamber detained police officers

DURATION: 05:20