Police Officer Driving Armored Vehicle Causing Death of Two Children on Duty Again

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After an armored vehicle crushed the wall of a house in Silopi in Turkey's southeastern province of Şırnak and six- and seven-year-old Muhammed Yıldırım and Furkan Yıldırım brothers lost their lives on May 3, 2017, a lawsuit was filed against Ö.Y., the police officer who was driving the armored vehicle, and his superior M.M., who gave the order.

The eight hearing of the case was held at the Cizre 2nd Heavy Penal Court today (May 2). Speaking during the hearing, police officer Ö.Y. stated that he has begun his duty again.

As reported by Mezopotamya Agency (MA), the attorneys reacted to the report which refers to the defendant police officers as "collateral negligent parties" and asked, "Will the vehicle be punished?"

Making a statement in the hearing, Ö.Y. claimed that he does not have any neglect or fault in the incident. Speaking after Ö.Y., his superior M.M. also indicated that he just followed the instructions given to him by his superiors as he also stated in the previous hearings.

'Will the vehicle be punished?'

Şırnak Bar Association Chair Nuşirevan Elçi also spoke in the hearing and, referring to the recently issued report about the incident, Elçi asked, "Will the vehicle be punished?" Lawyer Rojhat Dilsiz also stressed that no effective investigation is conducted in cases where defendants are public officers.

Speaking last in the hearing, Ö.Y. further claimed that the instruction given to him might be unlawful, but it still does not constitute a crime.

Stating that he has begun his duty again, Ö.Y. has requested that the probation previously imposed on him be lifted.

Announcing its ruling after the break, the court board has ruled that the obligation of Ö.Y. to give signatures as part of the probation be lifted and rejected the request for preparation of another report.

The next hearing of the case will be held on May 31, 2019.

What happened?

A police officer hitting a house while maneuvering with an armored vehicle caused the death of Muhammed Yıldırım (7) and Furkan Yıldırım (6) as they were sleeping inside the house on May 3, 2017. The vehicle was supposed to protect the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) building.

The Prosecutor's Office launched an investigation into the incident. The driver of the armored vehicle Ö.Y. was arrested and a lawsuit was filed against Ö.Y. and his superior M.M. for "causing death of more than one person". Facing up to 15 years in prison, Ö.Y. was released in his first hearing. (AÖ/SD)