Police Intervenes in Validebağ Grove, Detains Advocate

While an urban project aimed to build a “religious facility” in Istanbul’s Validebağ Grove located in Üsküdar district has been continued despite a suspension order, police intervened those who assembled around the area to stop the demolition.  

Heavy police presence and vehicles marked the incident with 5 individuals including lawyer Can Atalay from Chamber of Architechts. 

Allegedly battered in the transferred vehicle, the detainees were reportedly taken to Doğancılar Police Station. 

Kartal District Lawyers Association Chairman Ümit Erdem told bianet that one of the detainees was heavily beaten along with the advocates who came to defend the remaining detainees. 

On the other hand, another group of activists were assaulted by municipality workers in the early morning time who subsequently filed complaints against their assailants, advocate Pelin Nakıpoğlu told bianet. 

What happened?

A project has been prepared to build a “religious facility” in the southern section of Validebağ Grove located in Üsküdar district, Istanbul. 

In 2012, neighborhood residents signed a petition against the facility and submitted a motion request to Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. 

Following that, 5 separate cases were launched against nearby constructions. 

While the aforementioned cases reached a verdict, Üsküdar Municipality brought container to the area and started a lining work. 

On the morning of October 15, a bulldozer arrived to start a demolition. 

Neighborhood residents requested to see the license, but no license has been shown. 

Upon that, activist started watch-duties to prevent the beginning of demolition. 

On the morning of October 21, bulldozers escorted by police forces arrived to the area and started a digging even though neighborhood residents claimed that it was illegal. 

Neighborhood dwellers took the case to Istanbul 7^th Administrational Court which suspended the execution. However, the demolition teams ignored the ruling and visited the area with police escorts. (AS/BM)

* Photo credit: Kuzey Ormanları Savunması / Twitter

* Click here to read the article in Turkish.