Indictment prepared for May 1st detentions

In the indictment prepared regarding the May 1st protest in Istanbul, prison sentences of up to 17 years each were requested for 30 people who wanted to march from Saraçhane to Taksim.

The indictment, prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, lists 19 people as complainants and 30 people as suspects. 

WARNING TO END THE PROTEST WAS ISSUED

The indictment explains that on May 1st, calls were made by various confederations, unions, NGOs, and 'marginal groups and formations' to form a cortege in Saraçhane and carry out an "illegal march" toward Taksim Square. 

The indictment states that as of 08:30 on the day of the incident, a meeting took place between DİSK President Arzu Çerkesoğlu and the Deputy Provincial Police Chief responsible for security measures, during which it was stated that the protest was illegal, that the mass event planned for Taksim Square was not permitted, that there was a ban in place, and a warning was issued to end the protest.

According to the report by Fahrettin Öztürk from Cumhuriyet, the indictment states that as the hours progressed, the number of participants in the area reached 20 thousand, and Arzu Çerkesoğlu moved to the front of the Valens Aqueduct (Bozdoğan Kemeri) with approximately 50 people accompanying her. The Deputy Police Chief responsible for security measures reportedly reiterated that the protest was illegal, that the event planned for Taksim Square was not permitted, and that the march would absolutely not be allowed, upon which Arzu Çerkesoğlu and those with her moved away from that location.

"THEY BEGAN TO STRIKE THE BODIES AND HEADS OF THE POLICE"

The indictment notes that despite the negotiations, approximately 150 people within the crowd—including masked individuals and those carrying banners for TÖB, HALKDER, SMİ, SOL PARTİ, HALK EVLERİ, SYKP, EHP, ODAK, and Demir Leblebi—began striking police shields, and in some cases the bodies and heads of police officers, with stones, water jugs, and banner poles. It was also determined that they damaged 35 full-body shields, 77 duty shields, 1 handheld radio, 22 helmets, 23 gas masks, and 1 ZET riot gun through pushing, pulling, and striking.

It was noted that glass bottles, stones, and other hard objects were thrown at the police by the protesters, and physical attacks were carried out.

REQUEST FOR UP TO 17 YEARS IN PRISON

In the indictment, which includes the statements of the complainant police officers and the suspects, prison sentences ranging from 3 years and 9 months to 17 years were requested for each of the 30 individuals for the crimes of 'violating Law No. 2911', 'resisting to prevent the performance of duty', 'intentional injury', and 'damaging public property'.

News Source: 12punto