Bastinado Torture Allegations at Police Station in Istanbul

Eser Çelik (18) submitted a complaint to Gaziosmanpaşa District Prosecutor’s Office, saying that he had been tortured by bastinado and ill-treated at Gazi Police Station in Istanbul.

According to Çelik, the incident took place yesterday as he had been detained by anti-terrorism police for charges related to “being an illegal organization member”. 

Ordered to testify the prosecutor, Çelik stated the following to Prosecutor Cengiz Çallı: 

“When police brought me to Gazi Police Station, they handcuffed me in reverse fashion and had me lie on the floor. Then they took off my shoes and battered the soles of my feet. Then they stepped on my shoulder. I don’t know the names of the policemen who did this, but I can recognize them if I see them. I am pressing charges.” 

Özgür Yılmaz, Eser Çelik’s advocate, told bianet that their request for detailed health examination in Haseki Hospital with x-rays and documentation of assault have been rejected. 

Çelik has been transferred to stand trial. Advocate Yılmaz said they will reiterate their request for detail examination. (AS/BM)

* Click here to read the article in Turkish.