Will the Justice Be Secured at the 107th Hearing?
The court will give a final ruling at the 107th hearing of Metin Yurtsever trial. It was proven by forensic report that Metin Yurtsever was tortured to death by police officers 13 years ago.
The family of Yurtsever and Peace and Democracy Party Deputy Sebahat Tuncel made a statement to Human Rights Association Istanbul Branch: "We demand the police officers murdered Metin Yurtsever will be punished at the hearing that will be held on May, 22nd"
Retired educator Yurtsever was at the hunger strike against "the decision to get Abdullah Öcalan back to Turkey" at pro-Kurdish People's Democracy Party (HADEP) Kocaeli Provincial Organization on 18 November 1998.
Kocaeli police officers had beaten 50 protestors and Yurtsever severely. Yurtsever and his friends were also tortured at the police station. Yurtsever died in the evening as a result of the torture and the Forensic Report also approved the torture.
The trial of Director of the Anti-Terrorism Branch Şinasi Yılgın and 16 police officers began on 11 October 1999 at the Kocaeli 2. High Criminal Court.
The court held on 12 July 2007 decreed on the acquittal of Yılgın and 10 police officers. Police officers Şeyh Ömer Ediz, Şaban Kurnaz, İsmail Türkdemir, Sadettin Topal, Bülent Oral Tunar, Bekir Şahin and Temel Çakmak were sentenced to 5 years 6 months of imprisonment.
Local court decreed, Supreme Court reversed the decree
The Supreme Court reversed the decree of the local court on the grounds that "there are no accurate and credible evidence proving that the wounds caused the death of the victim are inflicted by the sentenced defendants". However, Kocaeli 2nd High Criminal Court didn't change its decree. Thereupon, The General Assembly of the Court of Appeals decreed on the acquital of the police officers on 22 November 2011.
107th and final hearing will be held on 22 May 2012. "This decree is political and the police officers should be punished" told İsmet Yurtsever on behalf of the family.
"Despite of the resistance of the local court on its decree, the Supreme Court decreed on the acquittal of the police officers; this is unacceptable. I hope the local court will resist on its decree at the last hearing" told Sebahat Tuncel. (NV)