Prosecutor Charges Policeman With Premeditated Murder
Prosecutor’s Office within Turkey’s Court of Cessation (Yargıtay) requested the overturning of verdict in the case of Ethem Sarısülük - a Gezi Resistance protestors killed by police officer Ahmet Şahbaz who received 7 years and 9 months of prison.
The prosecutor wrote the following in his opinion: “Instead of being charged with ‘premeditated murder’ after it was determined that suspected policeman [Ahmet Şahbaz] fired his gun with a target, it was unlawfully issued that he was charged with ‘killing with possible suspect’.”
The final decision will be issued by Court of Cessation Penal 1st Chamber.
“Good behavior" reduction
Ankara 6th Criminal Court issued a verdict in the case of Ethem Sarısülük on September 3.
While the Court convicted police officer Ahmet Şahbaz of "deliberately killing" Ethem Sarısülük, ordering a life sentence, the court then lowered the possible punishment on charges of killing.
As the crime was committed in the line of duty, the penalty was increased to 28 years of prison. But nine years of unjust provocation discount, about 2 years "good behavior" reduction and appreciation sale were also issued as well. With this discount, the total punishment given to Şahbaz turned out 7 years, 9 months and 10 days.
Prosecutor Cuma Doğan also wrote in the indictment that the suspected policeman “killed Sarısülük by excessing the limits of self-defense. He charged the policemen with “murder with possible purpose” and “abusing public vehicle in a crime” - charges that order 26 years and 8 months to 33 years and 4 months of prison.
Sarısülük Family took the ruling to Court of Cessation.
What happened?
On June 1, Gezi Park solidarity protestor Ethem Sarısülük (27) was shot by a police fire. He was hospitalized in Ankara Numune Education and Research Hospital.
On June 6, experts executed an investigation in the crime scene.
On June 10, nearby surveillance camera footage were found where a riot police officer fired his gun as he was running away from a group of protestors. Sarısülük was seen falling on the ground after the firing.
Shot on June 1, Sarısülük died 14 days later. His funeral was held in his hometown Çorum, a central province of Turkey.
Police Şahbaz was arrested on 7 July. On the next hearing, Ankara 6th High Criminal Court issued its verdict. (AS/BM)
* Click here to read the article in Turkish.