Police violence in Colemêrg

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  • 10:34 25 March 2024
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COLEMÊRG - Yalçın Kaval, who was detained on the grounds of "statement" after the eventful football match in Colemêrg, was subjected to violence at the police station where he was taken.
 
Yesterday, Hakkari Zapspor and Mazıdağı Sports teams faced each other at the Merzan City Stadium in Colemêrg. In the first half of the match, a brawl broke out when spectators descended on the field. Yalçın Kaval went to watch the match with his little daughter and he was also caught in the brawl. Kaval went home after the incident then he was detained by the police citing the events at the football match. After being detained, Kaval was taken to Atatürk Police Station. Kaval was beaten by many police officers here.
 
Upon his lawyer's initiative, Kaval was taken to Hakkari State Hospital and received a report of assault. Kaval's relatives, who learned what happened, flocked to the hospital. Reacting to the situation, family members recorded the violence Kaval suffered.
 
In the photographs, it is seen that Kaval has a bruise on his right eye and blood is collecting. It also appears that he has bruises on many parts of his body.
 
HE EXPLAINED THE EVENT
 
Kaval, whose statement was taken for the second time by the prosecutor's office due to police violence, stated that although he gave the statement with his consent, he was beaten, subjected to insults and threats. Kaval said: "Between 20.30 pm and 21.00 pm, plainclothes police officers came to my residence in Berçelan District. They told me to come to the police station and my statement would be taken. I got into the vehicle of the arriving police officers. First, I went to Hakkari State Hospital, where my assault report was taken. Then, for the statement, Atatürk I was brought to the Police Station. I waited for about an hour in the lawyer meeting room. Then, a short-haired, brunette officer in plain clothes, whom I had known before but whose name I do not remember, took me from the lawyer meeting room and took me to another room. Then, plainclothes police officers entered the room. A police officer named E.A., a chief in charge of plainclothes police officers, and a few other people in plainclothes that I did not know entered the room. As soon as these people entered the room, they started hitting me. These people laid me on the ground and handcuffed me upside down. After handcuffing me, they hit me again." 
 
Noting that the police used sarcastic words, Kaval continued as follows: "While they were beating me, they made threats and insults such as 'We will not let you live, you do not know who we are.' Later, I was taken to Hakkari State Hospital for a report of the assault again. It was on the upper part of my right eyelid. I had a bruise, bleeding from my nose, pain in my back and ribcage, pain in both knees, and a tear in my trousers in the calf area of my left leg. I do not know any of these people other than E.A. But I could identify them if I saw them. I did not threaten or insult any officer. I did not show any resistance. I do not accept the accusations made against me." 
 
REACTION FROM DEM PARTY
 
People's Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Colemêrg Deputy Onur Düşünmez reacted to the situation on his virtual media account. Düşünmez said: "Those who try to keep us in line with torture should know that we will never allow your inhumane practices in Colemêrg. Our struggle will continue until the torturers, who wear the armor of impunity even though they have tortured many times before, are held accountable before an independent and impartial judiciary."
 
DEM Party Colemêrg Deputy Oznur Bartın said: “The traces of the torture were documented with medical reports and photographs. In the country, both the law and the police have become arbitrary. The well you dug will be your end, one day you will need the law too."
 
IHD: WE WILL FOLLOW
 
Human Rights Association (IHD) Colemêrg Branch made a written statement regarding the incident on its virtual media account and said: “The crime of torture and ill-treatment committed by the law enforcement is increasing day by day. It is essential that all institutions, especially the judiciary, carry out the necessary investigation against these treatments that disregard the law and human life. We will also follow up on the issue."
 
STATEMENT FROM THE GOVERNORSHIP 
 
A statement on the issue also came from the governor's office. Hakkari Governorship noted that an investigation is launched into the fact that Yalçın Kaval, who was called to testify after the match upon the instructions of the prosecutor's office, was beaten at the police station. The Governorship said: "The incident will be examined in all its aspects, and legal proceedings will be fully implemented against those concerned according to the results of the investigation."
 
KAVAL'S LAWYER: WE WILL FILE A CRIMINAL COMPLAINT
 
Kaval's lawyer, Azad Ozer, stated that his client was beaten by 7 police officers who were not on duty at the police station. Ozer said: "As a result of the torture, we received a report of assault from Hakkari State Hospital through our efforts. An urgent investigation is being initiated against him regarding the torture incident to which he was subjected, and a detention order is issued for our client Yalçın Kaval within the scope of this investigation file by the police officers who tortured him.”
 
Lawyer Ozer stated that they will file a criminal complaint regarding the issue.