Can Poyraz
The trial involving 17 individuals accused in the aftermath of police violence during a Suruç Massacre commemoration in Adana is proceeding towards a verdict in the absecne of testimony from a key police witness. The case was adjourned by the court in the hearing on 16 Feburary. The court requested the prosecution to prepare its final opinion on the case.
The incident occurred at İnönü Park in the Seyhan district of Adana, a city in southern Turkey. On July 18, 2021, during an attempted press statement on the sixth anniversary of the Suruç Massacre, 17 individuals were arrested for allegedly resisting police and violating the Law No. 2911 on Meetings and Demonstrations. The tenth hearing of the case took place on February 14, 2024, at the Adana 17th Criminal Court of First Instance. Defense lawyers Yakup Ataş and Serhat Ökmen were present, but the police witness, who was at the scene during the incident and signed the incident report, did not attend the hearing.
The judge decided to proceed without hearing the testimony of the absent police officer. During the hearing, defense attorneys reiterated their previous statements, requesting acquittal for their clients.
The judge ruled that the prosecutor's final opinion on the case must be submitted to the court before a decision can be made, leading to the adjournment of the case until March 5, 2024.
Background of the Case:
The case stems from an event in Adana on July 18, 2021, when a commemoration was held in İnönü Park for the victims of the Suruç Massacre. Police intervention during the event led to the arrest of 19 individuals, who were later released the same day after giving their statements.
The 17 defendants were charged based on the testimonies of five police officers and video footage of the procession. During the seventh hearing of the case on October 26, 2022, the court ordered compulsory attendance for four witness police officers. A forensic report presented at the same hearing noted that it was unclear who was striking whom in the footage, but it appeared everyone was hitting each other.
