Police Authorities Decline to Disclose Gas Bomber Policemen

An administrative investigation has been launched on May Day police violence - an intervention that left several peaceful protestors injured. 

Police authorities, however, didn’t disclose the names of police officers who were on active-duty on May Day to Hakan Boydak, a police commissioner in charge of the investigation. 

On May 3, Contemporary Lawyer Association (ÇHD) Istanbul Branch filed a complaint against PM Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, Interior Minister Muammer Güler, Istanbul Governor Hüseyin Avni Mutlu and Istanbul Police Commissioner Hüseyin Çapkın and other police officers regarding the police violence on May 1. 

Even though Istanbul Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation on the issue, no progress has yet to be made. 

On the other hand, police authorities has launched an administrative investigation on the aforementioned policemen. 

Serdal Gül, a demonstrator who was hit in the head by a gas bomb canister, has been summoned to Kartal Courthouse this afternoon to testify Nuran Çavuş, a police investigator. 

“Police authorities declined to disclose the names of suspected policemen even though the investigator demanded so. There are only medical reports in the case file. Now they have my client’s testimony,” Bülent Şimşek, Gül’s advocate told bianet. 

“They didn’t give any details on the investigation. But they told us to share any files or photos that could help them. It doesn’t seem like the investigation will be held in a healthy fashion.” 

“Will you recognize if you see them?” 

Investigator asked Serdal Gül whether he would recognize the policemen who injured him.  

“Police casted gas bombs from a 2 meter radius and I was injured severely. I lost my conscious. There was gas smoke everywhere and policemen wore helmets. But I don’t remember whether they had helmet registration numbers,” Gül said according to his advocate. 

“I saw the moment of my injury on TV. Newspapers published photos as well. If the investigation focuses on these details, suspected policemen can be found.” 

Dilan Alp will testify

With the administrative investigation, the following people will be summoned for their testimonies: Dilan Alp, Meral Dönmez, Fehmi Oral Meşe, Zafer Yolcu (they had head injuries), İbrahim Akal (lost his eye) and other people (who had various damages). (AS/BM)

* Click here to read the original article in Turkish.