ECHR Condemns Turkey Over Detainee Death

European Court of Human Rights (ECHR) concluded the application of families of İskender Özpolat and his cousing Mehmet Özpolat who were killed in a police operation in Diyarbakır.

ECHR ruled that Turkey violated Mehmet Polat's right to live and fined Turkey to pay 64,000 euros as solatium in addition to 6,000 euros of court costs.

Death resulted by battering in detention

Human Rights Association had written up a report by meeting with eyewitnesses and officials. In the conclusion chapter of the report, it was stated that Mehmet Özpolat was killed by battering:

"Mehmet Özpolat, according to testimonies of eyewitnesses, was detained by being battered on the house's roof by security forces. It was understood by the report received from Dicle University Medical Faculty Research Hospital dated July 16, 2007 that 17-year-old Özpolat lost his life due to the blows he received."

One died home, the other died in detention

Police took Mehmet Özpolat under custody in the operation launched on July 13, 2007 in Diyarbakır. Detained Mehmet Özpolat was taken to hospital with the complaint of tummy ache, and died due to neck bleeding in the hospital a day later.

İskender Özpolat who allegedly fired back at police during the police operation was killed at the scene of incident. Diyarbakır Chief Public Prosecutor's Office ruled killing of Özpolat was self-defense, and the case concluded with verdict of non-prosecution.

ECHR in its verdict ruled that there is no violation in İskender Özpolat case. It also added that not making an effective investigation was also a violation.

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