Crime: Tweeting, Victim: Prime Minister

29 students have been ordered to stand trial for “igniting public to disobey rules” due to their tweets they sent during the Gezi Resistance in Izmir on May 31, 2013. 

Prepared by prosecutor Özcan Pehlivan, the 31 page indictment cited 29 pages of tweet messages. 

Even though the indictment claimed that banks, ATMs, vehicles and offices have been damaged within the protests, the only person cited to have “suffered” from the protests was PM Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.

The first hearing was set to February 24 at 9 am local time at İzmir 1st Peace Criminal Court.

They asked for milk, lemon and vinegar 

Some of tweets subjected to charges were related to asking to call for ambulance, lemon, vinegar or milk, or just inviting to join protests or releasing public wi-fi passwords and emergency phone numbers.  

Footage of bat-holders released 

One of the cited tweets say that some individuals carrying bats attacked resistance protestors. 

“Mass torture broke out in İzmir Alsancak Parking Lot 2 Level and it is absolutely true information. I beg you, someone go and help them”. 

Izmir Bar Association launched an investigation on the case as related photos were shared on the social media. Later on, the bar released the photos and videos they received. A footage allegedly demonstrated policemen and unidentified individuals carrying bats in the parking lot.

Prison sentence up to 3 years 

29 Gezi protestors have been charged with violating Turkish Penal Code Articles 217/1 and 218/1 on “igniting public not to obey rules”. They are facing prison terms up to 3 years.

Some of the highlights from the indictment were as follows:

“The social media shares related to the protests has caused the turmoil to grow as they were impartial, manipulating and provoking. The misinformation made public confront with the police.”

“Through the social media, they hey have informed where the police had put barricades and where they intervened. They have violated the public demonstration law at night.”

“They have called the public to demonstrate and encouraged to participate and ignited them to continue protesting…”

“For Gezi, against injustice, for all of us”

Some of the tweet messages within the “crime” are as follows:

“We are in Lausanne, police is at Montreux Gate. Immediate milk and lemon supply needed…”

“#ResistGeziPark #Resistİzmir”

“İzmir is gathering at 19:00 for #resistgezipark, for injustice, for humanity, for all of us in Alsancak”

“[Police] started shooting rubber bullets in Alsancak. Many injured, immediate need for medics. They are in bad situation.”

“Police is intervening with tear gas and water cannon. We are calling all the people to Gündoğdu Square.”

“Urgent need of lemons, vinegar and milk in Gündoğdu!”

“0232... İzmir Bar Association Red Desk, for detention inquiries”

“Those who live in Alsancak. Don’t sleep. Open your houses and cafes. People are hungry.”

“We don’t want a government who decides when to go to bed and how many children to make.” (AS/BM)