Trial launched for 10 participants of Eskişehir Pride March as police violence omitted from indictment
Ten individuals who were arrested during the Eskişehir Pride March in June are now facing charges. The Eskişehir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office filed an indictment accusing the participants of "attending an illegal demonstration without dispersing after warning." The indictment notably refers to the Pride March as "so-called" and omits any mention of the police violence documented by journalists and criticized by human rights organizations.
The participants were detained on June 9, 2023, in front of Eskişehir's Ulus Monument, where they had gathered to hold a press statement for the Pride March. The prosecutor also added "resisting a public official" charges against some of the marchers, accusing them of assaulting police officers during the arrests. However, the police intervention, which was captured on video and widely condemned, was not included in the indictment.
The Eskişehir 16th Criminal Court of First Instance has scheduled the first hearing for February 18, 2025.
Allegations of police violence omitted
The indictment ignores the police violence raised by those arrested, as well as complaints against a doctor who reportedly failed to document the injuries sustained. Separate investigations are ongoing regarding the police and the doctor.
‘The indictment reveals hate speech’
Lawyer Hasan Çayır, representing the participants, criticized the indictment in comments to MLSA, saying, "The fact that the prosecutor refers to the Pride March as 'so-called' already reflects the hate speech in the indictment. Every year, the police use the pretext of a ban to attack Pride Marches. This year, they claimed the protest location was not one of the designated areas by the Eskişehir Governor’s Office, even though the Ulus Monument is frequently used for press statements by political parties, unions, and civic groups in the city. No previous protests at this location were met with intervention, but because it was a Pride March and involved LGBTQ+ people, the police stepped in. We will raise these issues and more in our defense at the hearing."
What happened at Eskişehir Pride March?
On June 9, 2023, the Eskişehir Pride March was blocked by police violence in front of the Ulus Monument. Despite there being no official ban on the press statement, the area was surrounded by police hours before the event. When participants requested to see the ban order, the police responded by arresting them. Journalists attempting to document the events were also prevented from filming.
Of the 10 people arrested, four were released after their statements, while six were taken to the Criminal Judgeship of Peace, with three facing potential detention. Ultimately, five participants were subjected to judicial control measures, including travel bans and mandatory reporting, but all were released.
