16 y.o. Kid Charged With 7 Years of Prison

On June 2, police forces stopped M.Y. (16) on his way home in Istanbul’s Beşiktaş district, detaining and attacking M.Y. severely inside the police vehicle. 

Istanbul Prosecutor’s Office submitted a lawsuit today against a group of individuals who gathered for protests in Dolmabahçe, Beşiktaş. 

“Police warned the group to break up by themselves. Since protestors threw stones in response, police dispersed the group balanced force and detained M.Y. on the runaway. 

Police beatings in detention van

“M.Y. was initially taken to Juvenile Crimes Police Department in Beşiktaş. His nose was deformed due to beatings in the detention van. He also suffered from several scratches and bruises on his body,” defense attorney Tuğçe Avşar told bianet. 

She continued that a medical report provided by Istinye Public Hospital did not mention the wounds inflicted on her client. 

“I requested the prosecutor for his re-examination and he allowed it. M.Y.’s wounds were documented then. His family will file a complaint on policemen.”   

No evidence in indictment 

Prosecutors charged M.Y. with “refusing to cooperate with law enforcement officials, refusing to disperse a crowd despite police warning and resisting against the police to hold their duties” according to Turkish Penal Code Articles 265/1-3. and 2911, as well as Public Gathering and Demonstrations Law Article 32/1. 

M.Y. is facing prison sentences from 21 months up to 7 years, as well as fines ranging from 4,000 to 20,000 euros. 

“There is no solid evidence against my client. It is already cited in the indictment with expression like ‘all investigation is inclusive’. This is unlawful because all evidence must be cited. They didn’t write anything because they don’t actually have anything,” Avşar said. 

M.Y. is currently the only defendant who will stand trial. (AS/BM)

* Photo credit: İslam Yakut / AA