Person Who Shared Photo of Torture on Trial, Those Who Committed Torture Not

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Fatma Kılıçarslan, a provincial co-spokesperson of the Peoples' Democratic Congress (HDK) in Ankara, was sued for sharing a photo of those tortured in Halfeti, Urfa.

According to a statement by the Antep Bar Association, several social media accounts identifying themselves as "Special Operations Police" shared photos of dozens of people lying face down in handcuffs in what is thought to be the garden of Halfeti gendarmerie station after the clash and operation on May 18th in the affiliated Dergili neighborhood of Halfeti district.

Kılıçarslan, who shared the photos on his social media account, was investigated by the Urfa Public Prosecutor's Office on May 22. The public prosecutor's office in Urfa sent the investigation file to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office with a decision of no authority.

Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office filed a lawsuit against Kılıçarslan for "provoking people into enmity and hatred" at Ankara West Penal Court of First Instance on July 23.

The two-page indictment states that "Kılıçarslan shared a photo of people lying on the ground while being handcuffed behind the back and police officers watch them." It also includes a comment by Kılıçarslan that said, "This is Urfa... They are confident enough to openly commit torture."

İddianamede, "Soruşturma dosyasının bir bütün olarak değerlendirilmesi, şüphelinin savunmasında söz konusu paylaşımı kendisinin yaptığını ikrar etmesi, araştırma raporu kapsamında şüphelinin üzerine atılı suç işlediği yönünde kuvvetli suç şüphesi oluştuğu ve kamu davası açılması talep olunur" ifadelerine yer verildi.

The first hearing is scheduled for October 9.

"What should be included in the investigation should be the police officers, government officials who caused that photo to occur, yet we are being prosecuted," Kılıçarslan told the Mesopotamian Agency.

(AS/VK)