May 24, 2024 - Seventeen young people, who were subjected to police violence during a commemoration of the Suruç massacre in Adana and subsequently faced charges, have been acquitted of "resisting police" despite the prosecutor's request for punishment.
The case was heard at the 17th Criminal Court of First Instance in Adana. The youths were arrested during a press statement to mark the sixth anniversary of the Suruç massacre. Although they were not present in court, their lawyers attended the hearing. The defendants had been charged with "opposing the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations No. 2911" and "resisting to prevent duty."
In the prosecutor's final opinion, it was argued that the youths did not disperse despite police warnings and resisted the officers. The prosecutor claimed that the youths struck the police with flags and banners, disturbing public order, and called for their punishment.
The defense lawyers argued that their clients were exercising their right to peaceful assembly and demonstration and had been subjected to police violence. They highlighted that the expert report could not determine who struck whom and that there was no threat to public security, requesting acquittal for their clients.
Following the defense statements, the court acquitted the youths of "resisting to prevent duty" but decided to file a complaint regarding the "opposing the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations No. 2911" charge.
Background on the case
On July 18, 2021, during a commemoration event for the victims of the Suruç massacre held in İnönü Park in Adana, 19 young people were beaten and detained by the police. They were released on the same day after giving their statements.
The indictment against 17 of the participants was based on the testimonies of five police officers. During the seventh hearing on October 26, 2022, the court issued a summons for four witness police officers. The expert report stated, "It is unclear who struck whom; it appears everyone was striking everyone."
