Investigation Against Police Violence in Van

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The Van Bar Association has filed a criminal complaint against the police violence inflicted on Fırat Koç during the protests in Van.

CLICK - Police Violence in Van

Speaking to bianet about the violence inflicted on Koç, who is disabled and also has schizophrenia, Van Bar Association Chair Zülküf Uçar has said,

"In our meeting with Van Chief Public Prosecutor today, we learnt that an ex officio investigation has been launched against the officers. But, we have still filed a criminal complaint against the officers who inflicted violence and requested their suspension from duty."

'Marks of battery are visible on his body'

Erhan Çiftçiler, the lawyer of Fırat Koç, has also spoken to bianet about Koç, who is currently in detention, and made the following remarks:

"The marks of battery are visible on the body of Fırat. He is limping as his right foot has been injured. His arm has also been injured.

'He was on his way from hospital'

"Fırat is disabled, he has medical reports proving that. He did not join the protests. He got stuck in the middle of the protests on his way from the hospital and while he was trying to escape from the incidents, he was tortured, far from being battered. Its marks are on his body.

"We met the prosecutor this morning. He said that he would examine the file and make an evaluation. And, there is another important point: This file must be handled by the public security branch, not by the anti-terror branch. But, despite our request, the file is held in the anti-terror branch.

'He has to be released immediately'

"Moreover, when his reports are taken into consideration, he has to be released immediately. We are talking about a person who has schizophrenia. He will not escape or something. And he is already in the position of a victim. He did not commit any acts.

"Considering his medical condition, Koç has to be released immediately. Moreover, his deposition must be taken as the injured party, a legal action needs to be taken against the police officers who inflicted violence  on him and they have to be suspended from duty."

Governorship: Police officers were inflicted violence

The Governorship of Van released a statement about the video of the incident circulating on social media. The Governorship referred to the protesters as "the groups who staged illegal protests" and indicated that "a person attacked the police officers with an iron stool."

"As a result of the attack, one police officer of ours got injured on his face, neck and arm. The person who launched the attack was forcefully caught after a chase", the Governorship stated further and added,

"It has been understood that the person joined the PKK terrorist organization in the rural in 2013, submitted himself to the security forces in Diyarbakır in 2014, has several criminal records and has a psychological disorder (of schizophrenia)." The Governorship has also informed that the necessary inspections and investigations have been launched into the incident. (RT/SD)