Demonstrations that began on 28 May 2013 to protect Gezi Park but then turned into
protests demanding basic rights and freedoms in reaction to the violence committed by the police, spread across Turkey ( excluding Bingöl and Bayburt as per Ministry of Interior’s data) and continue with forums on 16 July 2013, the 49th day.
According to assessment made by the Turkish Medical Association (TMA) on 15 July 2013, 8163 people were injured in demonstrations across Turkey. The online survey conducted by TMA reveals that 11155 people were exposed to chemical weapon/riot control agents. And regretfully, 5 people lost their lives. Two protesters were killed by direct police violence and according to expert reports, one of them was killed by unidentified people in plain clothes.
During the demonstrations held in Hatay on June, 3rd 2013, Abdullah Cömert, aged 22, lost his life. The autopsy report revealed that Abdullah Cömert died after receiving two blows in the head. A skull fracture was diagnosed, caused by a blow to the back of the head, and also a semi lunar shaped, four centimetres diametrical tear which goes up to the parietal bone. On 5 July 2013, we were informed that the memo autopsy report reveals the possibility of death caused by gun shot.
During the demonstrations held in Ankara on June 1st, 2013, Ethem Sarısülük was killed by a police officer named Ahmet Şahbaz. Ethem Sarısuluk’s cerebral death was declared on June 12th, 2013. The autopsy report revealed that he was killed by being shot in the head. The police officer was released. The objection filed by Ethem Sarısuluk’s family against the verdict of release was rejected by Ankara 8th Criminal Court of First Instance on the basis that “family doesn’t have an authorization to object”. On 12 July 2013 the indictment was submitted to Ankara 6th Aggravated Felony Court. The policeman had allegedly “killed a person by unintentionally exceeding the limits of self-defence due to excusable circumstances” on the basis of article 81 and 27/1 of the Turkish Penal Code. The prosecutor demanded Ahmet Şahbaz to be sentenced up to 5 years.
Mehmet Ayvalıtaş, aged 21, died after being crashed by a car which was intentionally driven into a crowd in Ümraniye, İstanbul, on June 2nd, 2013.
Mehmet Sarı, a police officer, felt down from a bridge and lost his life while running after protestors in Adana on June 5th, 2013.
Zeynep Eryaşar, who attented the protest, suffered a heart attack and lost her life after having been exposed to chemical tear gas in Avcılar, İstanbul.
Ali İsmail Korkmaz (aged 19) was beaten with sticks by unidentified civilians on 3 June 2013 during the demonstrations held in Eskişehir. He died on 9 July 2013, in hospital and still unconscious. On 15 July 2013, S.K., the man who had been arrested for allegedly killing Ali, was released with a restriction under judicial control but a warrant has been issued for two other suspects.
The number of people who were detained across Turkey as of 10 July 2013 has
reached 3636 according to HRFT data [4]. The number of people who have been arrested is 131 as of 16 July 2013. The charges against these people are “to be a ruler or member of illegal organisation”, “sedition”, “destroying public property”, “carrying gun and bullet”, “invading mosque”.
According to declarations made by the Ministry of Interior on June 22th, protest occurred all around Turkey except in Bayburt and Bingöl. 2,5 million people attended the protests. 4,900 people were taken into custody and 4,000 people were wounded. 14 buildings of political party got damaged.
Ten people who took part in the protests by banging pots and pans on their balconies received a 88 TRY fine on the basis of breaching Misdemeanour’s Law. 9 students were also fined 1000 TRY on the basis of breaching this law.