Allegations of threats during detentions in Saraçhane: ‘To the point of death’

Report: Cenk Başboğaoğlu-12punto

The detention of Republican People's Party (CHP) Presidential Candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu on March 19, 2025, had led citizens across the country to organize protests to defend their right to vote and be elected. 

Following the gathering organized by the CHP on its first anniversary, police intervened against the citizens present in the area. It was alleged that irregularities occurred during the detention process on the night, which resulted in 35 people being detained and 2 people being arrested. Barış Onur Deniz, one of the 35 young people, shared his allegations with 12punto.

‘SUBJECTED TO INSULTS…’

Describing what he went through to 12punto, Barış Onur Deniz stated the moment of his detention as follows: “At the rally we attended yesterday, everything was quite calm and pleasant until the very last moment. However, towards the exit, I found myself in an unexpected situation. We were leaving the area singing songs with my friends. Suddenly, without any warning or announcement, we were surrounded. When I asked the reason while being detained, I was handcuffed while being subjected to insults.” 

‘WE COULD SEE NEITHER WATER NOR BREAD’

Deniz alleged that not even humane conditions were provided during the detention period, claiming: “After the health check, we were taken to the open parking lot of the Istanbul Police Department located on Vatan Street. Here, we were kept inside a vehicle for 5-6 hours with the doors closed, without air or water. When we conveyed our request for water, we were met with reactions like ‘you want too much.’ When I replied to this by saying ‘I hope you are never in need of a glass of water,’ I was met with words like ‘there is no glass of water for you in rainy weather.’ During this process, even the slightest question or request was met with insults and profanity. After a while, only one plastic bottle of water was brought, and everyone in the vehicle could only drink a sip by sharing that water. Towards Sahur, someone came to the vehicle with a camera and said that water and bread would be distributed to those fasting, but despite these promises, we could see neither water nor bread.” 

‘I WILL FIND YOU IN CIVILIAN CLOTHES’

Claiming that an officer wearing a vest belonging to the Anti-Narcotics Branch issued death threats against him while he was being taken to the hospital after being released on summons, Deniz said: “After this long wait, we were allowed to meet with our lawyers and were released on summons. While being taken to the hospital, we started singing to lift our spirits a little. After the song ended, a ‘police officer in a narcotics vest’ turned to me and said, ‘you are also very annoying.’ After all the tension that had occurred, I could not remain calm and responded in the same tone, saying, ‘what we have been through since the beginning of the night is obvious, were you really annoyed by a song?’”

“Upon this, the other police officers in the vehicle intervened suddenly. One of them grabbed my neck and started shouting loudly; I did not fully understand what he was saying. I was only asking why no one intervened when we were being cursed at, but why we were met with such a response when we answered back. Despite all this tension, the environment somehow calmed down again and we reached the hospital.

As we were being taken out of the vehicle one by one, the police officer I had argued with walked towards me. He hit my chest a few times and issued death threats, saying, ‘I swear, I will take off this vest, I will find you in civilian clothes, you will see.’ Upon this, I turned to the other police officers and said that I was being threatened and asked what I should do. The police intervened while we were being taken out of the vehicle, and I saw that the officer was looking at me with hatred. That night, we were the ones who were kept without water, without air, and deprived of our freedom for hours. Everything that happened in the area was on record, and there was no illegal act involved. Despite this, I had difficulty understanding the reason for this anger and hostility displayed. When I asked him why he was so full of hatred, he just smiled,” he said, describing his allegations. 

RESPONSE AWAITED

A response is awaited from the Istanbul Police Department regarding this allegation of threats and the scope under which the Anti-Narcotics Branch assigned an officer to the detentions in Saraçhane.