Eye-Loser Gezi Protestor Sentenced to House Arrest

Çağdaş Küçükbattal, a Gezi Resistance protestor who lost his eye due to a police tear gas bomb canister on May 31, was put under house arrest. Evidence leading to his house arrest included attending Hrant Dink commemoration event and Alevi people demonstration. 

26 years old, Küçükbattal is Socialist Party of the Oppressed (ESP) and former ETHA reporter. 

On November 5, he was detained along with Uğur and Özgül Ülgel. Following his statement yesterday at Istanbul Courthouse, Çağdaş Küçükbattal, Ülgel Özgül and Uğur Ülgel were ordered to stand trial. 

“Why did you attend Hrant Dink commemoration?"

The court interrogated Küçükbattal on a variety of issues including a socialist summer camp, a hunger strike for Kurdish political arrestees, a Hrant Dink commemoration and an Alevi people solidarity meeting he attended recently. 

“All these events were legal and democratic,” Küçükbattal said.

The court reached a decision last night, bailing Uğur Ülgen out for 3,000 liras and a weekly presence control signature. Similarly, Özgür Ülgen was bailed out for 10,000 liras and a weekly presence control signature.

Küçükbattal, on the other hand, was ordered to serve house arrest. The court also issued an international travel ban.

While Küçükbattal’s eye treatment is still underway, he would be scheduled for a third surgery this week. (AS/BM)

* Click here to read the original article in Turkish.