Statement from the Union of Turkish Bar Associations on Faruk Koca! 'They will be punished in the harshest way'

Union of Turkish Bar Associations (TBB) President Erinç Sağkan stated regarding the attack on referee Halil Umut Meler following the MKE Ankaragücü-Çaykur Rizespor match, "Those who carried out this act will certainly be punished in the harshest way before the judiciary."

TBB President Sağkan evaluated the attack on referee Halil Umut Meler by MKE Ankaragücü Club President Koca and two other individuals following the match played in the Süper Lig last night.

Stating that there is no acceptable side to attacking a referee, Sağkan noted that a moment occurred in Turkey last night where fanaticism, particularly in football, turned into violence.

President Sağkan said, "It is on our agenda today because it is a very visible incident in football, but cases of violence occurring in much different arenas are happening almost every day in different provinces and different environments."

"The judiciary conducted an effective process, the prosecutor's office acted early"

Noting that an investigation into the incident was launched by the Ankara West Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, that the judiciary conducted an effective process, and that the prosecutor's office acted early, Erinç Sağkan recalled that arrest warrants were issued for 3 suspects on charges of both violating Law No. 6222 and causing injury to a public official in a manner resulting in bone fractures.

Expressing that the processes leading up to this point must be analyzed well, Sağkan said that the effects of rhetoric on fans and especially children must be clearly understood.

Pointing out that many fans supported the action taken by Club President Faruk Koca, Sağkan assessed, "Unfortunately, as long as we do not see these problems, the punitive activity carried out individually only in relation to the act committed will not eliminate the tendency toward violence in this society."

TBB President Erinç Sağkan emphasized that combating violence is only possible through social awareness and struggle, and continued as follows:

"We must create a social awareness against violence starting from primary education. Those who carried out this act will certainly be punished in the harshest way before the judiciary. However, uncovering the background that leads to these acts, especially within the scope of Law No. 6222, will perhaps be an important element in preventing violence on football pitches, at least to some extent."