DENİZ TEKİN
The Istanbul 2nd Administrative Court has ordered Turkey's Ministry of Interior to pay journalist Bilal Meyveci TL 40,000 in damages for police violence he faced while reporting on a protest. Meyveci, represented by the Media and Law Studies Association (MLSA), was injured by a plastic bullet during a 2021 women’s rights demonstration in Istanbul’s Taksim district.
“This decision establishes that police have no right to obstruct journalists covering news events,” said MLSA Co-Director Veysel Ok, hailing the ruling as a step toward curbing impunity for violence against journalists.
Journalist injured during police intervention
The incident took place on Nov. 25, 2021, during a march organized for the International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. Meyveci was injured in the lip by a plastic bullet and his phone was destroyed during the police crackdown. MLSA subsequently filed a lawsuit against the Ministry of Interior, seeking compensation for both material and moral damages.
The Ministry denied any fault, arguing that the case should be dismissed as there was no administrative liability.
Court: Prohibition on mistreatment violated
The court ruled in favor of Meyveci, awarding TL 40,000 in non-material damages while rejecting claims for material compensation. In its reasoning, the court highlighted inconsistencies in police documentation regarding the use of the FN rifle involved in the incident.
The ruling stated, “Considering these inconsistencies, it is evident that the police officer in question failed to use the FN rifle properly, either intentionally or negligently. This led to the projectile, which contained tear gas, striking the complainant’s lip and causing an injury that required minor medical attention. This constitutes a violation of the prohibition on mistreatment.”
Police use of force exceeded limits
The court also criticized the lack of accountability, noting that no perpetrators were identified during the investigation into the incident. It stated, “The obligation to investigate and prosecute the violation faced by the complainant was not fulfilled.” Evaluating evidence and witness statements, the court concluded that the use of plastic bullets exceeded permissible limits and that the Ministry was negligent in managing the police intervention.
Ok: The ruling partially eliminates impunity for violence against journalists
MLSA Co-Director Veysel Ok emphasized the systemic nature of such incidents in Turkey, stating, “In recent years, police forces have increasingly targeted journalists during protests and press events, obstructing their work, applying violence, and destroying their equipment. This has become a routine administrative practice by law enforcement.”
He welcomed the court’s ruling as a crucial step toward accountability, saying, “This decision clearly condemns police violence against journalists and reduces the impunity for such acts.”
Constitutional Court appeal
Despite the court’s decision, MLSA has pursued further action. The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office previously issued a non-prosecution decision, citing an inability to identify the responsible officers. In response, MLSA filed an individual application with Turkey’s Constitutional Court, seeking accountability for crimes including “intentional injury,” “violation of the freedom to work,” “damage to property,” and “misconduct in office.”
