27.05.2026 18:40
During the events that occurred before a planned rally in Izmir with the participation of Özgür Özel, the suspect Deniz Yolçu, who was detained and climbed onto a TOMA during the intervention, was arrested by the court he was referred to. It was learned that the arrested Yolçu was a vice principal at a girls' imam hatip high school in Istanbul.
In the events that broke out before Özgür Özel's rally in Izmir, Deniz Yolçu, who climbed onto a TOMA (water cannon vehicle) and was taken into custody, was arrested on charges of 'Damaging Public Property' and 'Resisting to Prevent Duty'. It emerged that Yolçu is a vice principal at a girls' imam hatip high school in Istanbul.
ÖZGÜR ÖZEL'S IZMIR RALLY EVENTFUL
Before the planned rally of Özgür Özel at Izmir Cumhuriyet Square, security forces took extensive precautions in the area. After the entrances and exits of the square were closed, numerous riot police teams and TOMAs were deployed to the region. Following the Izmir Governorship's proposal of the alternative Gündoğdu Square as the rally site, police teams warned the crowd gathered around Cumhuriyet Square to disperse.
CLIMBED ONTO THE TOMA
Despite the warnings, the group that refused to disperse and attempted to enter the area was intervened by security forces with tear gas and TOMAs. During the skirmish, moments when a citizen climbed onto a TOMA spraying pressurized water were captured on camera.
3 PEOPLE TAKEN INTO CUSTODY
Following the tension at the square, security forces intervened and took 3 people into custody. Among those detained, lawyer Kıvılcım Çolak was released after police procedures, while the other 2 suspects were referred to the courthouse in custody.
THE ATTACKER WHO CLIMBED ONTO THE TOMA WAS ARRESTED
Among the suspects referred to the courthouse was Deniz Yolçu, who had climbed onto the TOMA during the police intervention with pressurized water. Brought before the judge, Yolçu was arrested on charges of 'Damaging Public Property' and 'Resisting to Prevent Duty' and sent to prison. The other suspect in custody was released under judicial supervision.
EMERGED AS VICE PRINCIPAL AT IMAM HATIP HIGH SCHOOL
Another detail emerged regarding Deniz Yolçu, who climbed onto the TOMA during the incidents at the rally area and was arrested by the court. It was determined that Yolçu serves as a vice principal at a girls' imam hatip high school in Istanbul's Fatih district.