'Terror Investigation’ Against Animal Rights Defender 6 Years After Gezi

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Having protested in an attempt to raise concerns over the animals that were killed or wounded as a result of police violence during Gezi resistance in 2013, animal rights defender and Committee for Monitoring Animal Rights (HAKİM) Coordinator Burak Özgüner has learned around six years later that a "terror investigation" has been launched against him.

Speaking to Rıfat Doğan from the Artı Gerçek news website, Özgüner has indicated that he learnt about the investigation by coincidence and when he wanted to learn details of the file via his attorneys, the Prosecutor did not show them the file, stating that "I will impose a confidentiality order."

Özgüner has also stated that before the investigation was launched, his file was sent to three different prosecutors and the fourth prosecutor has launched the investigation. "I wanted to meet the prosecutor, but I could not", Özgüner has indicated further and continued as follows:

'The clerk of prosecutor was surprised'

"I met the clerk of the prosecutor and wanted to receive information about the content of the investigation. The clerk of the prosecutor asked me how I learnt about the investigation and what my job is.

"Whenever I happen to pass the courthouse, I did a 'common examination' there to learn whether there is a new investigation against me. And, that was how I heard about this investigation.

"The clerk of the prosecutor was surprised, but there is nothing to be surprised. A 'terror investigation' can be launched against anyone at any time in this country. As a result of my insistence, I could learn from the clerk that the investigation was about the statement for the press that we held upon the call 'We are Commemorating All Lives That We Lost in Gezi Resistance.'

"I do not know what I am charged with and how it is associated with terrorism, but I am not surprised."

'Police raided the association three days later'

"I think that investigations concerning Gezi are deliberately rekindled six years later", Özgüner has stated further and added,

"Three days after the police attack, the inspectors of Ministry of Interior conducted an 'urgent' inspection at Freedom to Earth Association, which organized the commemoration. They could, of course, not find anything contrary to the regulations. The state wanted to link the association with terrorism back on May 1, 2012, but their attempts failed."

What happened?

During Gezi Park protests in 2013, several animals that were wounded or affected by police attack were brought to the clinic where Burak Özgüner was working at the time. Özgüner and his friends compiled a report on animal rights violations and prepared to apply to the International Court of Justice for Animal Rights. The group wanted to hold a statement for the press at the stairs of Gezi Park to announce their application to the court on September 28, 2013. However, they were attacked by the police.

14 people, including Özgüner, were taken into custody on that day. The detained were released after their health checks. (HA/SD)