Police Violence Resisting Journalist Faces Trial
Freelance journalist Rahmi Yıldırım is facing 3 years of prison sentence for “resisting a public officer” when he warned a TOMA vehicle not to use disproportionate force against demonstrators within Gezi Protests.
The incident took place on March 13 where Yıldırım and other 12 demonstrators were detained in Ankara’s Kızılay Square.
Ankara 33rd Assize Court admitted the indictment prepared by media prosecutor Mehmet Taştan, a case that he has drafted six months after the incident. The first hearing was set to February 10.
13 defendants have also been charged with violating Turkey’s Public Gatherings and Demonstrations Law.
Yıldırım might lose his civil rights
Prosecutor Taştan not only charged defendants with prison but also with deprivation of their certain civil rights according to Turkish Penal Code (TCK) Article 53/1 and 2.
According to this, if defendants are convicted, they will not be able to be elected as deputy or state worker as well as take part in the administration of a foundation, association, corporation or political party. (EÖ/BM)
* Click here to read the article in Turkish.