Accused Police Officer Absent for 21 Months

The first hearing of the trial lodged by retired state officer Kemalettin Rıdvan Yalın took place on 28 September before the Beyoğlu 4^th Court of First Instance. Yalın filed a complaint against police officer Muhammad Gişi because his foot was injured by a police bullet on 19 January 2008.

Yalın's lawyer Can Atalay summarized the hearing for bianet:

"Our client brought forward that he was hit by the bullet because it was aimed at him. My client was arrested in hospital, my client's house was searched because of an alleged bomb warning, the struggles imposed on my client and the other witnesses - these are the reason why we requested to trial police officer Muhammad Gişi in detention. The court declined our request."

Detained police officer Gişi did not attend the hearing. Sinem Uludağ, one of Yalın's lawyers, said: "Gişi is detained under another accusation. There is no other information. The other court has sent a notification for Gişi to the Sultanbeyli Police Station".

"I do not trust in justice"

Yalın stated: "It has been almost 2 years now. The police officer who shot at me is not here. I do not trust in justice. I believe that this person is being protected because he is a police officer".

"If the court case will be closed without any result, I will follow it up", meaning that Yalın would then apply to the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).

Yalın is still using a walking stick. He attended a gathering in memory of assassinated journalist Hrant Dink in Taksim 21 months ago. When the police tried to disperse the group, Yalin was hit by a police bullet at his foot and his shin bone got broken.

15 people were declared suspects and Yalın was arrested right from the hospital.

Yalın was a state officer of Turkish Rail (TCDD) at the time. He claimed that Gişi had aimed to shoot at him, whereas the police Officer argued that he was not involved in the incident. When Yalın was released from hospital his house was searched because of an alleged bomb warning.

The 15 people arrested on 19 January are trialed without detention for "casting illegal slogans", "police assault", and "damage of public property". The hearing of Yalın's case took place almost 2 years after he filed his complaint. The case is to be continued on 11 March. (EZÖ/VK)