Public lawsuit filed against 16 TİP members arrested during MESEM protest

16 out of 17 students who are members of the Workers' Party of Turkey (TİP) were arrested after protesting the child deaths occurring in Vocational Training Centers (MESEM) in Istanbul.

During the protest held in Istanbul, where the Turkey Century Vocational and Technical Education Summit—attended by Minister of National Education Yusuf Tekin—was taking place, 17 TİP member students who drew attention to the child deaths in MESEMs were detained. The students were referred to the courthouse and brought before a judge with a request for arrest; the Bakırköy 7th Criminal Court of Peace issued arrest warrants for 16 of the 17 youths.

In its arrest decision based on charges of "resisting to prevent the performance of duty" and "property damage," the court stated that there was "concrete evidence indicating a strong suspicion of crime," and further assessed that the "arrest measure was measured and proportionate."

NOW A PUBLIC LAWSUIT!

A new development has occurred within the scope of the investigation. The Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor's Office announced that a public lawsuit has been filed against the 16 citizens from the Workers' Party of Turkey who were arrested for protesting the MESEM program and child deaths, on charges of "resisting to prevent the performance of duty" and "simple assault."