Non-prosecution for Presidency’s security guards who beat a lawyer

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It is understood that a decision of non-prosecution was given for the Presidency's security guards who battered lawyer Sertuğ Sürenoğlu.

Over a year ago, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Tekirdağ MP Candan Yüceer addressed a Parliamentary question to Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu and asked him about the ensuing investigation into the battery of Sürenoğlu by Presidency's security guards.

In his answer to this question a year and two months later, Minister Soylu has announced that a decision of non-prosecution was given in the investigation conducted by the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

The İstanbul Directorate of Security also took administrative proceedings against the guards. It has also decided to "stop processing the file."

CLICK - Video Footage Showing Detention of Lawyer Battered for Allegedly Insulting President

After Lawyer Sertuğ Sürenoğlu protested the blocking of traffic along the Çırağan Street in İstanbul on April 14, 2019 for the convoy of President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan heading for a wedding ceremony of Demirören and Kalyoncu families, he was taken to a police vehicle by the guards and battered there.

Soylu: A decision of non-prosecution was give

As reported by Gazete Duvar news website, Minister Soylu has answered the Parliamentary question of Candan Yüceer in following words:

"Law enforcement officers fulfil their duties with the aim of establishing and maintaining public order and security, by the authority vested in them by the laws and abiding by the principle of rule of law.

"Necessary investigations are launched against the personnel who allegedly overstepped the boundaries of use of force in a way contrary to the related legislation, orders and instructions.

"As a result of the legal proceedings taken by the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office with the investigation number 2019/66485, a decision of 'non-prosecution' was given. As a result of the administrative proceedings taken by the İstanbul Security Directorate with the investigation number 2019/4371, a decision to 'stop processing the file' was given."

Yüceer: A culture of impunity

Commenting on the answer of Interior Minister Soylu, CHP MP Yüceer has briefly stated the following:

"We all saw how the Bar Association Chairs, trying to protect the dignity of their profession, were battered at the entrance of Ankara.

"With the answer of Soylu, we have seen that the ground for this violence was prepared by this file which took place last year and was covered up.

"We know that the biggest injustice is to be unjust while pretending to be just. Investigations are launched every time, the reactions are eliminated, but - after a short time - files are closed one by one.

"This culture of impunity causes an increase in violence in every sphere of our lives. Each file where justice is not served leads to new victims." (EKN/SD)