Dilan’s Memory Returns As She Hears of Ethem’s Name

While Dilan Dursun, a Gezi protestor who suffered from brain injury due to tears gas bomb canister, is still facing health problems, no progress has yet to be made on the investigation of suspect policemen.  

bianet interviewed Dilan Dursun for the first time, even though we followed her health progress through her advocate Tonguç Cankurt.  

Dilan Dursun told bianet that her health is rapidly improving and she will be struggling for justice despite the challenges in the investigation process.  

“I was running and then all was over”

What do you remember from June 16?

During the process leading to Ethem’s funeral, there was extreme police violence. I took the streets as the resistance broke out in Ankara. That day, people would take the funeral of Ethem to where he was shot. But it didn’t happen. I was there to protest against police violence but I was subjected to police violence.

I was just running. Then I lost conscious. A tear gas bomb hit my head from the back. I was running and then all was over. This is all I remember. Then you wake up at the hospital.

How was your hospital days? 

I had nightmares for two weeks. I was constantly in between clashes. There was violence all over. I was being dragged on the floor. 

For three days, I refused to admit that I was at the hospital. I had difficulties recognizing the time and space I was in. I had serious memory issues. I had issues reading and concentrating. For the very first 5 days, I didn’t even recognize letters. I tried to do better by practicing. 

“I remembered everything after hearing Ethem’s name”

Did you remember about what happened? 

The psychiatrist recommended my family not to tell anything about the incident. They were waiting for me to remember everything myself. Therefore, they initially told me that I had a traffic accident. But it was surprising to see deputies, my university president and far relatives to come for a visit. I didn’t understand it in the beginning. I didn’t recognize most of friends. 

Then my mom said that Ethem’s funeral was at the same day as the incident. That rang the bell. I started remembering things. I wouldn’t remember for long if I didn’t hear Ethem’s name. 

What happened after your discharge? 

I was in ICU for 4 days. Then I was additionally hospitalized for another week. A total of 11 days. The first 45 days after my discharge was terrible. I suffered from vertigo, lack of appetite and insomnia. 

However, my heath improved quickly after being discharged. When I first woke up, I didn’t even know how to read and write. I learn it in three months. 

How is your health situation now? 

I can comprehend things easier. From time to time, I have issues with reading. I also have concentration and memory issues. Sometimes I don’t remember people that I meet. Sometimes I just have to return to the beginning of a lecture. 

I also suffer from a broken nose bone which hardens breathing. I am scheduled to a surgery in January. There is a spoon-wide cavity in my skull. I suffer from vertigo. I might go through artificial bone transplant surgery in the summer. But it is not certain yet. I also go through psychotherapy. 

Whenever I see a policeman or riot police, I get angry and burst into tears. I have problems falling a sleep. Either I oversleep or don’t sleep at all. I never feel rested after waking up. 

“At least some step should be made”

How did the incident affect your education?

It is problematic but I am rapidly improving. It was in the middle of my finals. I received help from my professors. At least I didn’t have to go through semester again.

What do you want to say about the investigation process? I was out to protest police violence and I was subjected to police. There is a problem with evidence collection from the very beginning of the process. The prosecutor has changed and the new one doesn’t respond our demand. At least he could take a step a forward. 

There are five suspects in my case. There might be others but only police authorities might know this. They have serious faults. The incident happened 6 months ago, but the case is still in the investigation level.

I am also following the cases of Ethem Sarısülük and Mehmet Ayvalıtaş. I am trying to be next to Ethem’s family. 

It is going to take long and tiring, but I have no option other than waiting and struggling. (BK/BM)