'We owe Medeni to continue his struggle'

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Medeni Yıldırım was one of the eight people who lost their lives because of security forces' violence during the Gezi Resistance. He died when the gendarmerie opened fire on the group who gathered to protest the construction of a "high-security military outpost" in the Lice district of the Kurdish-majority province of Diyarbakır.

In the nine years since his killing, no one received a sentence for causing the death of Medeni Yıldırım. His elder brother, Mehmet Yıldırım, criticized the sentences in the Gezi case while those who killed his brother were free.

"We will continue our struggle to see Osman Kavala, Mücella Yapıcı and other friends free as soon as possible," he said.

At the final hearing of the Gezi case on April 25, the İstanbul 13th Heavy Penal Court sentenced Osman Kavala to aggravated life imprisonment for "attempting to overthrow the government" and seven others — Mücella Yapıcı, Çiğdem Mater, Hakan Altınay, Mine Özerden, Can Atalay, Tayfun Kahraman and Yiğit Ali Ekmekçi — to 18 years imprisonment for "aiding" Kavala in the attempt.

"Gezi was a naturally developed uprising"

Yıldırım said Gezi was not an uprising that could be organized or controlled by Osman Kavala or the others. So, he said the eight people being sentenced in the case they were previously acquitted was "not legal but political."

"Among the arrested, I know Mücella Yapıcı. She is a sensitive architect and citizen who is not indifferent to the country and city she lives in."

"Intimidating dissidents"

"The Gezi verdict is intended to intimidate all dissidents, all sensible people, through the judiciary. They say, 'If you defend the last remaining green area, this is the punishment and trial process you will have.'

"Although we are saddened that our friends are getting through these processes, the verdict makes us remember how strong we are. It shows how unsettling the process after Gezi was for the government. As a result, we are not hopeless, and we will take our friends back."

"A private cannot open fire without order"

While eight people were sentenced in the Gezi case, Private Adem Çiftçi, who caused his brother's death, stood trial for "eventual intent under unjust provocation" and was acquitted on July 8, 2021, recalled Yıldırım.

"Adem Çiftçi was acquitted in our case. We have appealed against this verdict and are waiting for the result. Killing a 19-year-old person and not being sentenced is unacceptable. They end bright, young lives.

"Adem Çiftçi standing trial alone shows that there is no fair trial. There was a case, but those who gave the orders were his commanders. However, the commanders were only heard as witnesses. We know that a soldier cannot open fire without an order."

"The system is problematic"

"Even though we think the one who pulled the trigger is at fault, we know that those who gave the orders are as criminal as him. But they didn't receive sentences and continued their duties.

"Not only Adem Çiftçi, but the system where people exercising their right to hold a gathering and a march are fired at is problematic. This is why I never accept Gezi put on trial, and I once again say Gezi cannot be put on trial.

Justice

"We are not in a position to spectate what happens. At least we owe Medeni to continue his struggle and hold them accountable for what they did.

"There was no one who filed a case for Ahmet Atakan, who lost his life during Gezi. The Governor's Office did not even give permission for an investigation. Our awareness as the public will ensure justice.

"In Turkey, results can be achieved when a certain subject gains weight on social media. Otherwise, it is covered up." (MD/VK)