URFA - The images of the torture of 55 people 3 years ago in Halfeti is under investigation in Istanbul ATK for two years. İHD Urfa Branch Co-chair Mustafa Vefa pointed out that the long review period is the continuation of the policy of impunity.

 

In a clash that broke out on May 18, 2019 in the Halfeti district of Urfa, 55 people, who were detained after 1 police officer and 2 HPG members lost their lives, were subjected to torture and electrocution at the Yaylak Gendarmerie Station and the TEM Branch. Photos of people laid on the ground in front of the police station being trampled by the police was reflected in the press. Torture and ill-treatment in front of the Yaylak Gendarmerie Station continued at the TEM Branch, and the detainees, in line with their statements at the prosecutor's office, explained that they were subjected to torture and ill treatment and that they were electrocuted at the police station.

 

While legal action was taken against 24 people out of the 55 detainees, 13 people were arrested as a result of the investigation. 10 of the people arrested was released on different dates while 3 of them remains imprisoned. In the 9th hearing of the case, which was held at the Urfa 5th High Criminal Court on 25 June 2021, the court sentenced Celal Ercan and Zeki Alakuş to 7 years 6 months with the accusation of 'being a member of a terrorist organisation'. Alakuş was sentenced to 5 more years with the same accusation.

 

IMAGES OF TORTURE UNDER INVESTIGATION FOR TWO YEARS

 

While the torture in question was widely covered by both in Turkey and internationally, Amnesty International started a petition with the code "Urgent" and the torture allegations was tabled at the British Parliament. As a result of the reactions from the public and the initiatives of the Urfa Bar Association, an expert report was prepared by 3 gendarmerie personnel within the scope of the investigation launched against some police officers in the TEM Branch. The footage was given to the same gendermerie station to be investigated. The gendermerie personnel claimed that there were no torture. Upon the objection of the lawyers, the footage was sent to İstanbul Forensic Medicine Institude (ATK) on May 2020.Despite two years have passed, the footage is still not investigated.