Uğur Kurt, a Protest Bystander, Killed By Police Fire

All medical efforts to save Uğur Kurt failed and he died last night at Okmeydanı Hospital.

It turned out that Kurt was haphazardly visiting a cemevi as police intervened with tear gas, rubber bullets and water cannon at protestors who assembled to march for Berkin Elvan.

The incident took place around 11:30 am local time yesterday. Initially hospitalized in Okmeydanı Education and Research Hospital, he was reportedly receiving CPR around 12:00pm (GMT+2). 

While his heart responded to the intervention, he was immediately taken to surgery which ended around 3 pm. While he suffered from spine injury, his situation remained critical by then. 

Later on, Istanbul Governor Hüseyin Avni Mutlu announced the death of Uğur Kurt. “Unfortunately, all medical efforts failed, he passed away.”

On the other hand, Yön Haber, an online news agency, released a footage showing the shooting of Uğur Kurt. 

Human rights advocate Evrim Deniz Karatana told bianet on how the incident happened. “Police fired real bullets during the intervention. Uğur Kurt was waiting at the courtyard of Okmeydanı Cemevi for a funeral. He was shot either in his head or neck area,” she said. 

Protests resumed in Okmeydanı, injuries reported

While clashes resumed all night, 9 were injured including 7 policemen. It was reported that one among them was in critical condition.

Protestors reportedly threw flammable objects at the police units stationed in the intersection of Piyalepaşa and Mithatpaşa Avenue in downtown Okmeydanı. While those injured were transferred to nearby hospitals, news agencies broke that one suffered from an eye injury. 

Advocates submitted a complaint 

Human rights advocates Şükriye Erden, Oya Aslan and Tahir Kemal Bozkır submitted their complaint to Istanbul Chief Prosecutor’s Office regarding the incident.

While the complaint concerned an immediate investigation before “evidence could disappear in the scene”, it also urged authorities to investigate every on-duty police officer assigned around Okmeydanı district in Istanbul. 

The complaint requested the prosecutors to charge suspects with “attempted premeditated murder, premeditated assault and premeditated threat to the general security”. 

Judicial and administrational investigation 

On the other hand, Istanbul Governor Hüseyin Avni Mutlu released a statement saying that a thorough investigation would point out how the incident happened.  

“Of course, there is a pistol involved. A footage is circulating in the media. Within this framework, there will be judicial and administrational investigation.” 

Arınç: Adequate punishment should be given 

Vice PM Bülent Arınç said the following after the initial injury of Uğur Kurt: “If police fire even caused an innocent and distant bystander citizen to have the slightest injury, I am desiring to see those responsible appear before justice immediately and receive the adequate punishment.” (BM)