Prosecutor calls for acquittal of police officers in trial over the death of Metin Lokumcu

What happened?

Metin Lokumcu, a retired teacher, lost his life on May 31, 2011, after suffering a heart attack. The incident occurred during a rally in Hopa, Artvin, where then-Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan was speaking at a rally. Lokumcu, who was standing in front of the police with his hands behind his back, was calling out to the officers, "Come on, take me and save the country." This moment was captured by the press.

Following the incident, 70 people were detained as part of the investigation, with 16 of them arrested. However, they were later released.

After Lokumcu's death, Erdoğan mentioned him during a public meeting in Istanbul, stating, "One of them had a heart attack... I don't know his identity... But I don't feel the need to dwell on it... He has died of a heart attack."

The case surrounding Lokumcu's death was initially handled by the local court in Hopa. However, on December 21, 2020, the 5th Penal Chamber of the Court of Cassation decided to transfer the case to the Trabzon Penal Court of First Instance due to concerns about potential social unrest and security threats.

The Court of Cassation justified its decision, citing the possibility of social incidents and provocations arising. The 5th Penal Chamber concluded that the trial might not be held in an orderly manner, posing a clear and imminent danger to public security.

At the hearing in June 2021, the Trabzon 2nd Penal Court of First Instance gave a decision of lack of jurisdiction. The police officers who were on trial over the death of Lokumcu appealed against this decision foreseeing the case to be held by a high criminal court. With their appeals rejected, the trial is now held at the Trabzon 2nd High Criminal Court.