03.07.2024 16:50
The trial of 12 suspects, 8 of whom are in custody, who launched a stone-throwing and baton attack against the police teams taking precautions in Saraçhane on May 1st Labor and Solidarity Day, has begun in Istanbul. The court decided to release the 8 detained defendants after hearing their defenses.
In the trial that started today, the case of individuals who attacked the police during the May 1 demonstrations in Istanbul was brought to court. 8 detained defendants were brought to the hearing at Istanbul 25th Criminal Court of First Instance. Some of the defendants who were not detained and their lawyers were also present in the courtroom.
"WE PARTICIPATED IN THE MASSIVE DEMONSTRATION IN SARAÇHANE"
In her defense, defendant Fatmanur Uğur said, "We went to Saraçhane to exercise our constitutional right to celebrate May 1. There is a constitutional right that Taksim is not prohibited. We participated in the massive demonstration in Saraçhane. We were there for a very basic right. Until I left my house in Küçükçekmece, I did not encounter any prohibition whatsoever. When I got off the Marmaray, we passed through the police barricade. We participated in the process appropriately. There was a different route after entering the area. It was said that DİSK representatives would negotiate. Even Özgür Özel was there. There was a possibility of going to Taksim, even if it was symbolic. We were caught in the middle. I have allergic asthma, so I tried to stay behind. We understood that tear gas would be thrown. A plastic bullet hit a friend's eye and caused vision loss. I tried to protect myself and ran to the back. I think I am detained unlawfully. We have an ongoing life. I haven't been able to open my shop for two months. We were taken from our house. The process causes us grievances. I request my release."
"I MAY HAVE HELD ONTO A BARRIER, BUT I DEFINITELY DID NOT INTEND TO CAUSE HARM"
Defendant Ahmet Özgür Erdoğan said, "The expression 'prohibited march' is mentioned in the indictment. I reached the area by metro and entered after passing through the police checkpoint. Nothing was said about it being prohibited during this time. I did not throw stones or sticks at any police officer. There was a brief scuffle in the area. I was stuck in the front of the crowd. I may have held onto a barrier, but I definitely did not intend to cause harm. It is written that an announcement was made to disperse the crowd, but I did not hear any announcement, and even if it was made, I may not have heard it in the crowd."
"I RECEIVED 15 STITCHES ON MY HEAD"
In her statement, police officer Hediye Ö. said, "I received 15 stitches on my head. I had a period of forgetfulness. I couldn't take care of my personal hygiene. We were doing what our duty required there. I still have the stitches on my face, my eyebrow twitches. I am filing a complaint against the defendants." Other complainant police officers also stated that they were filing complaints against the defendants and requested the most severe punishment for them.
RELEASE DECISION FOR 8 DEFENDANTS
The court decided to release the 8 defendants who were in custody. The trial was adjourned to address the deficiencies.
INDICTMENT
The indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office includes 12 suspects, 8 of whom are in custody, who were detained during the May 1 Labor and Solidarity Day while attempting to march from Saraçhane to Taksim. The prepared indictment seeks separate prison sentences ranging from 3 years 8 months to 15 years 6 months for each of the 12 individuals on charges of "Violation of the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations," "Resisting to Fulfill Duties," "Causing Damage to Property," and "Intentional Injury that may cause Bone Fracture."