Policeman Tried for Beating Journalist

Police officer Tuncay Aktaş is on trial because of beating journalist Ozan Özhan. He is charged with "actual bodily harm". The trial is being continued on 15 December at the Beyoğlu 2nd Magistrate Criminal Court.

Erol Önderoğlu

The Beyoğlu (Istanbul) Public Chief Prosecution opened a trial against Riot Forces Police officer Tuncay Aktaş because he beat journalist Ozan Özhan in January this year. Özhan was beaten by Aktaş when he read a sign board on the wall of the former water depot reading "The Energy of 2010 spreads all over Istanbul" on Istanbul's centrally located Taksim Square.

The journalist applied to the Beyoğlu Chief Prosecution putting forward that a police officer started a quarrel and beat him on 9 January 2010 when he paused on his way to read a sign board posted on the square. He identified the involved policeman in the scope of the related investigation.

A medical report confirmed beating marks on his leg and ear. Özhan filed his complaint to the Beyoğlu Prosecution on Duty on 10 January. After having completed his military service, the journalist learned that a case had been opened against a police officer on charges of "actual bodily harm". The trial started in June. The second hearing is scheduled for Wednesday (15 December) before the Beyoğlu 2^nd Magistrate Criminal Court. (EÖ/VK)

Origin

BIA News Center

Erol Önderoğlu

[email protected]

all articles of the author

A graduate of the French Language and Literature Department at İstanbul University. He has served as the Turkey representative for the international organization Reporters Without...

A graduate of the French Language and Literature Department at İstanbul University. He has served as the Turkey representative for the international organization Reporters Without Borders (RSF), where he began as a reporter in 1996. Since 1999, he has worked at bianet, a project of the IPS Communication Foundation, as the coordinator of the Legal Support Desk, editor for freedom of expression, and editor-in-chief. He has authored more than 4,800 signed news articles and opinion pieces. He has also written for Bizim Gazete and the journal Güncel Hukuk. He currently prepares the Media Monitoring Reports at bianet.