Gay Police Case Opens

The case of Osman, a former police officer who has been dismissed due to his sexual orientation, has opened this afternoon. 

Osman, an alias, has worked as a police officer for 8 years until his sexual orientation was exposed by an anonymous email. Following the incident, he faced an official investigation where he was accused of "committing a shameful crime". At the end of the investigation, he was expelled from his post. 

An Istanbul court [kept anonymous as the defendant chose to remain it confidential[ opened the case of Osman who filed for the suspense of his post due to his sexual orientation. The hearing was observed by Human Rights Watch, SPoD LGBTI and Lamdaistanbul.

Following the submission of defense, the court announced that the verdict will be announced in a month. 

At the end of the hearing, Osman told bianet the following: 

"The court will issue a verdict in a month. If the outcome is positive, then I will return to my post. If not, then I will apply to the Councul of State (Danıştay) and continue my struggle. 

"I don't think my sexual orientation posed any obstacle against the execution of my profession. I don't tend to mix my career with my personal life. I will become a policeman." (ÇT/BM)

* Click here to read the article in Turkish.