Witnesses Arrested, Detained in Ethem Sarısülük Case

Lawyers are reportedly working on their objection to Ankara 13th Peace Court’s decision to the pending trial release of police officer Ahmet Şahbaz - top suspect of Ethem Sarısülük shooting case. 

Mehmet Can Tayşan, an eye witness of Ethem Sarısülük shooting by police fire who testified to case expert report, has been detained, said advocate Kazım Bayraktar. 

Tayşan submitted the following to Ankara Gendarmerie Commandment’s Crime Scene Investigation Team Expert Report: 

“I was at the Güvenpark metro exit in Kızılay [downtown Ankara]. Police was constantly throwing gas bombs at a group of 7-8 people who were 2 meters away from me. One of the policemen just dropped his shield and approached to protestors.”

“There was a protestors lying on the ground. He kicked that protestor. When other protestors confronted him, he pulled the gun on his waist and fired it while pointed at protestors. Then he raised his gun above and fired a couple of times. Then he ran back to other policemen. Nobody else fired a gun.” 

“Ethem fell on the ground only 10 seconds after the first fire. His head was injured, bleeding.” 

The court disregarded Tayşan’s witnessing in its detailed verdict. Police raided Tayşan’s apartment this morning, detaining and transferring him to Prosecutor’s Office for testimony around 2 pm local time. 

Şahin İmga, a prospective witness of Ethem Sarısülük case, has been arrested on June 21, said advocate Kazım Bayraktar.

He also added that the ballistic report has been completed by General Attorney’s Office of Ankara. According to the report, the bullet found in Sarısülük’s head and caused his head belonged to policeman Ahmet Şahbaz. 

Who is Ethem Sarısülük?

Ethem Sarısülük was born in July 1986 into a poor family with 5 children. Forth child, he dropped Abidinpaşa Industrial Profession High School and worked on a variety of jobs including portering and weltering. Lately, he was working in Ankara’s OSTİM Organized Industry Zone.

Shot on June 1, Sarısülük died 14 days later. His funeral was held in his hometown Çorum, a central province of Turkey. (AS)