Police violence against CHP's Mahmut Tanal in Saraçhane: He shared the bruises on his body!

CHP Şanlıurfa MP Mahmut Tanal, who was in Saraçhane during the protests against the potential imprisonment of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, announced that he was assaulted by the police. Sharing a photo of the bruises on his body, Tanal stated, "This attack has left a deep wound not only on my body but also on the spirit of the rule of law."

Tanal's statement, titled "These Wounds Are Not Just on the Body, They Have Been Inflicted on the Rule of Law!", is as follows:

I have been in the field for exactly 48 hours. From Çağlayan Courthouse to Saraçhane, and from there back to the courthouse... I couldn't even stop by my home, I couldn't change my clothes. My shirt was torn during the police attack, and when I took my clothes off this morning, I saw the bruises, scratches, and welts in the area right under my shirt. These marks are not just signs of a physical attack, but also signs of an attack on the law, human rights, and democracy.

This violence applied against citizens who are exercising their right to peaceful protest and expressing their democratic reaction in this country is a clear violation of the "right to hold meetings and demonstration marches" guaranteed by Article 34 of the Constitution. Likewise, freedom of expression has been violated in accordance with Article 26 of the Constitution.

Furthermore, the Law on Police Duties and Powers No. 2559 clearly states: The police are obligated to intervene in a proportionate, measured, and lawful manner. Personnel who abuse their authority, use excessive force, and attack by targeting individuals are clearly committing a crime.

I exclude the conscientious members of the police force who perform their duties within the framework of the law and are the people's police. I condemn those responsible for this aggressive attitude and declare that I will pursue legal action against them.

With these attacks, an attempt is being made to intimidate not only me but all citizens who seek their democratic rights. But we will not be silent! Because if we remain silent, the law, democracy, and humanity will also fall silent!

Let everyone know this:

Turkey is not a police state!

A citizen cannot be beaten with batons for exercising their constitutional rights!

People who demand justice on the streets are not enemies; they are the honor of this country!

This attack has left a deep wound not only on my body but also on the spirit of the rule of law. I will never let go of this lawlessness and this mentality of tutelage!

These Wounds Are Not Just on the Body, They Have Been Inflicted on the Rule of Law!”

I have been in the field for exactly 48 hours. From Çağlayan Courthouse to Saraçhane, and from there back to the courthouse... I couldn't even stop by my home, I couldn't change my clothes. My shirt was torn during the police attack, and when I took my clothes off this morning... pic.twitter.com/HByM6H4JEk

— Av.Mahmut TANAL (@MTanal) March 24, 2025

News Source: 12punto