No Arrest For Top Suspect in Ethem Sarısülük Case
The fifth hearing of the trial of Ahmet Şahbaz, the police officer that shot Ethem Sarısülük and caused his death took place today in Ankara 6th High Criminal Court. The hearing focused on the video recordings of the incident.
The Sarısülük family reacted when their demand for Officer Şahbaz’s arrest was rejected in yet this hearing as well. While a brawl erupted in the hearing, the judge postponed the case to July 7.
This time he wasn’t in camouflage
Şahbaz had attempted in the first hearing to conceal himself with a wig and glasses. This time he did not wear a wig, a mustache, or glasses.
Previously, the court had ordered Şahbaz to stand trial regarding the killing of Ethem Sarısülük in Ankara Kızılay Square during the Gezi Resistance. The arrest request was rejected once again.
Today’s hearing began with heavy security precautions with tens of gendarmes and police officers laying seated at the courtroom. Gülsüm and Sami Elvan, the parents of Berkin Elvan, the 15-year-old shot and killed in Gezi demonstrations after 269 days comatose, and Zafer Cömert, brother of Abdullah Cömert likewise killed by police in Gezi demonstrations in Hatay, along with Republican People’s Party (CHP) parliamentary representatives Mahmut Tanal, İlhan Cihaner, Aylin Nazlıaka, and Hüseyin Aygün were also among the hearing’s spectators.
Kazım Bayraktar, Sarısülük family’s attorney, objected to the situation [heavy presence of armed forces] saying, “There is no need for this much armed security. I cannot see you or the defendant. Is this how you’re going to ensure justice?”
Mr. Bayraktar said, “The incidences of lawlessness in the trial will result in more deaths.
Şahbaz used his right to remain silent
Defendant Şahbaz replied all of the questions below with “I am using my right to remain silent”:
“We know you ran away into the police forces standing behind you after shooting Ethem. Where did you go after you ran away? How were you taken to the hospital? Were you alone in the ambulance? Did you take off your helmet after you ran away? Which of your superiors did you go to? What time did you go to the hospital? How many times did you get a report? On which date did you surrender the gun? You were spotted in the proceedings as the person who shot Ethem; where did you stay until June 24?”
His attorney asserted that Şahbaz “fired his gun within legitimate limits of self-defense.”
“I whipped out my gun and popped three bullets”
Recordings of the moment Sarısülük was shot and the video where Officer Şahbaz said, “I whipped out my gun and popped three bullets,” were shown in the hearing.
Joint attorneys stated defendant Şahbaz acted in a calm and planned manner and demanded his arrest. Defense attorney asked for Şahbaz to be excluded from hearings. The prosecutor opined against both requests, and expressed that “there is no suspicion of escape or of spoliation of evidence,” regarding Şahbaz.
The chief judge also rejected the demands for Şahbaz’s arrest and exclusion from hearings. The next hearing is on July 7. (AS/PU/BM)
* Photo credit: Gökhan Balcı / AA
* Click here to read the article in Turkish.