DISK Chairman, Secretary Face Investigation on May Day

Prosecutors launched an investigation on Confederation of Progressive Trade Unions of Turkey (DISK) Chairman Kani Beko and General Secretary Arzu Çerkezoğlu related to this year’s May Day demonstrations.

On May 1, Istanbul Governor’s Office released a statement, saying that no demonstrations would be allowed around Taksim Square area due to the ongoing construction projects. 

On the same day, police harshly broke up hundreds of protestors who were attempting to reach Taksim Square through main avenues and back streets. 

Prosecutors launched their investigation on May Day Organization Committee members Kani Beko and Arzu Çerkezoğlu for violating Turkey’s Law 2911 on Public Gatherings and Demonstrations. 

“Construction holes turned out to be excuse during Gezi”

The very fact that hundreds of thousands people demonstrated around Taksim Square during Gezi Resistance already proved that construction holes were pretexts to block May Day, Çerkezoğlu told bianet. 

“May Day closure was not a ‘technical’ reason but rather ‘political’” she said. 

“For years, we have been struggling to celebrate May Day in Taksim Square. For the past 3 years, we have celebrated May Day in Taksim Square with a huge crowd. AKP government banned the celebrations pretexting construction and holes despite ECHR verdict. 

“Hundreds of thousands people marched in Taksim Square during Gezi Resistance protests. Except the police intervention, nobody got hurt. So it was understood that banning demonstrations in Taksim was not a technical decision but a political one. Taksim Square is a major May Day venue and this can’t be judged.”

Çerkezoğlu and Beko will testify in Istanbul Courthouse today. (NV/BM)

* Click here to read the original article in Turkish.