In the press release held yesterday for the seriously ill imprisoned politician Aysel Tuğluk in front of the Mersin Courthouse, Akdeniz District Police Chief H. A.T. threatened Lawyers Association for Freedom (ÖHD) Ali Bozan. Lawyers were beaten by the police during the press release they wanted to hold in front of the courthouse in order to protest the Forensic Medicine Institute (ATK) regarding Tuğluk. Nine of the battered lawyers received a report. The threats of the police chief were also reflected in the camera footage. Lawyer Bozan stated that there have been intense attacks against opposition lawyers in the city recently and that they will file a criminal complaint.

 

ATTACKS AGAINST LAWYERS STARTED AFTER FORMER PROSECUTOR WAS APPOINTED TO MERSIN

 

Reminding that scores of press releases were held at the same place before and that there was no problem, lawyer Bozan pointed out that such attacks started after the former Urfa Chief Public Prosecutor was appointed to Mersin. Lawyer Bozan said, “As lawyers, we have held press releases here many times in the past in front of the Mersin Courthouse. Our press releases were not interfered with in any way. Even a few criminal complaints filed against us were dismissed. But the police attacked the last press releases we held here. The reason for this is the appointment of the former Chief Public Prosecutor of Urfa to Mersin."

 

THREAT TO THE LAWYER

 

The lawyer Bozan said that during the brawl that took place while they were reading the press statement, the police chief threatened him with retaliation. Stating that the riot police attacked them before they started to read the press release, Bozan said: "The Chief pf Police whom we have known in the past for his unlawful behavior, openly threatened me. Turgut will be personally responsible for any harm I could be subjected to."

 

'MERSIN BAR REMAINS UNRESPONSIVE'

 

Criticizing the silence of the Mersin Bar Association, Bozan continued: "The bans started, especially after the change of the Chief Public Prosecutor. Even in the courthouse bar room, holding a press release is forbidden now. Yet, there is no reaction from the bar. And they don't look like they are planning to. It did not even publish a message of condemnation against the interventions against us. The management of the Bar Association, unfortunately, remains unresponsive and approves these instructions.”

 

'WE WILL FILE A CRIMINAL COMPLAINT'

 

Bozan added, "We will file a criminal complaint against the Chief Public Prosecutor and the Akdeniz District Security Director, and the riot police that attacked us." Underlining that they will continue to hold press releases at the same place, Bozan said: "Thr courthouse is our workplace. We will use our rights in every corner of this courthouse."

 

MA / Selman Guzelyuz