Ege Akersoy's lawyer Sevdagül Tunçer speaks to 12punto: 'The process is unlawful from start to finish'

Aslı AĞIRDİL-12punto.com.tr

Sevdagül Tunçer, the lawyer for Ege Akersoy, who was arrested for allegedly assaulting a person carrying a "Tawhid" flag at a rally organized yesterday by associations close to the AKP, primarily TÜGVA, titled "Mercy to Our Martyrs, Support for Palestine, Curse on Israel," spoke to 12punto.

Providing information regarding Akersoy's detention process, Tunçer said, "Ege should not have been arrested in the first place. Legally, we can no longer predict this, and we are struggling to express it. He is being referred under a criminal charge for which he should not be detained, and indeed should not even be referred. On top of that, an arrest warrant is issued."

"JUST AS THEY DID WITH THE IMPRISONED JOURNALISTS..."

Continuing her assessments on the subject, Tunçer added:

"Look, while there was a simple assault, he was referred and arrested for inciting the public to hatred and hostility. Now, the file has reached the prosecutor. The investigation prosecutor was appointed as of today. If we appeal to a higher court, the file will go there, and they will review it.

The prosecutor may decide that there is no more evidence to be collected and decide for his release. He could be released tomorrow; this is difficult, but that is not my expectation. It could be 3 weeks, it could be a month.

Unfortunately, just as they did with the imprisoned nationalist journalists, they have been held for 100 days; the process could be extended. The process is already proceeding unlawfully from start to finish."

"IF IT IS THE LAW, IT IS THE LAW FOR EVERYONE"

The individual named Oğuzhan Toksun, who assaulted Akersoy in the presence of police, was taken into custody following the launch of the #OğuzhanToksunTutuklansın (#ArrestOğuzhanToksun) campaign on social media.

Regarding Toksun's detention, Tunçer, who said, "Just as Ege should not remain in detention, he should not be arrested either," continued her words as follows:

"Arrest is an exceptional measure. An arrest warrant is issued if there is a suspicion of flight or tampering with evidence. These are not such crimes. We say if it is the law, it is the law for everyone, but what is unfair here is...

While Ege could perhaps have had his statement taken for simple assault and been released, or at worst, judicial control measures could have been applied—he is a university student, where is he going to go? Where is this child going to flee?"

WILL HIS SCHOLARSHIP BE REVOKED?

Evaluating the claims that Akersoy's scholarship would be revoked, Tunçer said, "He has a GPA above 3.00. He is an extremely successful child, but the fact that he is currently arrested will naturally lead to both his victimization and the violation of his right to education."

HE SAID, "WE ARE TURKISH, THIS IS TURKEY, NOT ARABIA"

Tunçer further stated that Akersoy was affected by the recent disrespect shown toward Republican values and Atatürk, and that he could not tolerate it, adding:

"He says he is also very affected and saddened by the news of martyrs. He defines himself as a nationalist Turkish youth, and he used expressions there like, 'We are Turkish, this is Turkey, not Arabia.'

When the other party came at him and made contact, he threw a punch to protect himself. He says he wouldn't have wanted it either, but while this young man shows such maturity, we do not accept the judicial authorities—those who give instructions to the judiciary—shamelessly applying the law of the enemy to Turkish youth. There is not the slightest error in what he said there.

He is just describing a young person who is loyal to the Republic, loyal to Atatürk, and who thinks we should prioritize our national values while wanting to protect Republican values."