Machete-Carrying Man Charged With 27 Years of Prison

Istanbul Prosecutor’s Office released its charges on Sabri Çelebi, the machete-carrying man who attacked Gezi Resistance protestors. Charged with “attempting to assault purposefully”, Çelebi is facing prison sentences up to 27 years. 

The case prosecutor initially charged Çelebi with 9 years of prison, which was later on augmented up to 27 years on the ground that “machete is a weapon”. 

On July 6, police broke up Gezi Park protestors on Istiklal Avenue who gathered after the appeal “We are going to our park”. During the intervention, 4 local business owners around Talimhane area attacked protestors with machetes. Machete-carrying aggressors have been detained by the police later on and freed after standing trial.  

On July 9, prosecutor Veysi Büyükkılıç objected the court’s ruling on Çelebi, requesting his arrest due to the “nature and extent of crime” and “current evidence situation”. 

A vacation court issued arrest warrants for Sabri Çelebi who fled abroad the day before court’s ruling. 

Reportedly holding a returning ticket from Morocco on July 10, Çelebi has yet to arrive back in Turkey despite the arrest warrant. (EA/BM)

* Click here to see the original article in Turkish.