Arrested for climbing on a TOMA in İzmir: 'He calls for struggle'

It was known that Deniz Yolçu, who climbed onto the TOMA, was the target of kicks and that his nose was broken during the forensic examination. Yolçu, who was kept in custody despite the risk of head trauma, was arrested on charges of "damaging public property," "resisting a public official," and "violating the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations No. 2911."

It was announced in a statement by the Istanbul Governor's Office that Yolçu, who works as a vice principal at a school in Istanbul's Fatih district, has been suspended from duty and an administrative investigation has been launched against him.

'HE SAYS HE DEFINITELY DID NOT COMMIT A CRIME'

Regarding the situation of Yolçu, who was visited yesterday by lawyers from the People's Liberation Party (HKP) and Attorney Tacettin Çolak and Attorney İbrahim Kıvılcım Çolak representing the Humanist Lawyers, Attorney Tacettin Çolak said, "Deniz Yolçu is aware of his actions. His morale is high. He says that he gave a humanitarian reaction that day against the police's intense use of pressurized water to disperse the public at Cumhuriyet Square, that he was also affected by the pressurized water, and that he acted in legitimate self-defense with an instantaneous reflex to mitigate the attack somewhat. He says his purpose was not to damage public property, but on the contrary, he gave this reaction to prevent further crimes from being committed against the public and the state by implementing an unlawful order, and to prevent further victimization. He says he definitely did not commit a crime. He states that those who actually used disproportionate force against him and caused his nose to be broken are the ones who committed a crime and that they will be tried when the time comes."

'IT COULD HAVE BEEN DONE IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE LAW'

Stating that Yolçu did not commit any crime, Attorney Çolak said, "Just as it is not possible to damage a TOMA with kicks, he was neutralized with plastic bullets while he was on top of the TOMA. In other words, he was taken into custody by using disproportionate force before the act of 'damaging public property' was legally completed. Moreover, he did not have any weapon in his possession. Our friend, who was already brought down from the TOMA with plastic bullets, could have been apprehended in a more reasonable and lawful manner in an environment where dozens or hundreds of police officers were present. Therefore, as is confirmed by dozens of camera recordings, there is no such act as Deniz Yolçu resisting a public official," while Attorney Çolak stated that the police officer or officers who broke Yolçu's nose should be identified and tried.

On the other hand, Attorney Çolak said, "The right of hundreds of thousands of people to peaceful demonstration has been obstructed. There is no question of obstructing the Law on Meetings and Demonstrations."

'HIS RELEASE IS CERTAIN'

Regarding Yolçu's detention status, Attorney Çolak used the words, "Deniz Yolçu's arrest is arbitrary, disproportionate, unlawful, and aimed at punishment. Although detention is a measure, unfortunately, the detention measure was applied due to charges that would not even result in prison time if a sentence were to be given. This is also intended to intimidate society. Although the İzmir Bar Association Social Cases Commission has appealed the detention, we think that our friend will remain in detention until an indictment is prepared and a lawsuit is filed. It is certain that he will be released after the lawsuit is filed."

'HE IS NOT REGRETFUL'

Attorney Tacettin Çolak conveyed Yolçu's message to the public to 12punto. Attorney Çolak said, "He is not regretful for what he did. He says that the economic and political policies of this government affect all segments of society, including workers, farmers, civil servants, retirees, and tradespeople; and that there is a great cost-of-living crisis in the country. He says that for this reason, the people must struggle in an organized manner and that he is also fighting for this. Emphasizing that his arrest was made to intimidate the public but that no power can stand against a mass popular movement, he calls on the people to struggle in line with their democratic rights and interests."

Attorney Çolak stated that as HKP lawyers and Humanist Lawyers, they stand by Deniz Yolçu just like every citizen who faces injustice.

News: Cenk BAŞBOĞAOĞLU