Demonstrations that began on May 28th, 2013 to protect Gezi Park and turned into protests demanding basic rights and freedoms in reaction to the police use of violence, spread across Turkey (Bingöl and Bayburt excepted) and continue with forums on July 8th, the 41st day of protests.
After the First Administrative Court of Istanbul decided to cancel Taksim Project, people who were gathered to get into Gezi Park on 06 July 2013 were attacked with tear gas chemicals, pressurized water and plastic bullets by the police forces. All night long, attacks went on at Istiklal Avenue and Taksim Square. 4 people in Talimhane, declared as craftsmen, attacked people with chopper. These people were taken into custody, then released on 07 July by the judge. During the same night, 59 people were taken into custody, dozens of people were injured. It has been reported that police forces were not carrying identification numbers on their helmets. As far as we know, 13 reporters were attacked and 2 reporters were taken into custody.
We found out that 8 people were taken into custody on 03 July 2013 in Antakya with an allegation of “disbursing money during demonstrations”. 6 of them were deported, 2 Turkish citizen were released.
According to assessment made by the Turkish Medical Association (TMA) on June 27th, 2013, 8041 people were injured in demonstrations across Turkey, and regretfully, 4 people lost their lives. Two protesters were killed by direct police violence. The online survey conducted by TMA reveals that that 11155 person were exposed to chemical weapon/riot control agents.
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 semilunar 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”.
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.
Ulaş Yıldız, reporter of the magazine “Mücadele Birliği”, who was detained for having participated to the protests in Adana on 24 June 2013, was released on 05 June 2013 following an objection filed by his lawyer.
On 04 July 2013, 16 people who are members of “Temel Haklar Derneği” (Association
of Essential Rights), were taken into custody for participating to the protests in Bursa. 8 of them were detained for allegedly “being a member of illegal organization DHKP/C” on 06 July 2013.
The number of people who were detained across Turkey as of 8 July 2013 is 3482 according to HRFT data. The number of people who have been arrested is 101. The allegations against these people include “being a ruler or member of illegal organisation”, “destroying public property”, “carrying gun and bullet” or “invading mosque”.
According to declarations made by the Ministry of Interior on June 22th, 2013, protest occured 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.
8 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 Law. 9 students were also fined 1000 TRY on the basis of breaching this law.