Detentions as May Day approaches: 'Not a coincidence'

Lawyer Lütfi Batı, a member of the Progressive Lawyers Association (ÇHD), stated that the detentions in Istanbul occurred because the event "strongly emphasized the reality that the May Day Square is Taksim Square." 

Lawyer Çağdaş Bülbül, who is representing the SOL Genç members regarding the detention process in İzmir, stated that although the subject of the investigation is independent of May Day, the file had been kept pending since September and was brought to light for the purpose of conducting an operation during May Day week. 

‘BECAUSE IT STRONGLY EMPHASIZED’

Stating that the slogan "The May Day Square is Taksim Square" is not just a slogan and that the event at Kazancı Yokuşu was held to commemorate the workers massacred on May 1, 1977, Batı said, "The goal was to leave a carnation in memory of them at the place where they were massacred. It was a program organized by militant trade unions and other political institutions trying to build May Day in Taksim to commemorate their martyrs before May 1. This event was subjected to detention and attack today because it strongly emphasized the reality that the May Day Square is Taksim Square," he said. 

‘NOT A COINCIDENCE’

Metro Istanbul announced that, in accordance with the decision of the Istanbul Governor's Office, the "Yenikapı-Hacıosman Metro Line," the "Taksim-Kabataş Funicular Line," and the Taksim Station were closed to operation "until further notice." Stating that the lines were kept closed throughout the protests and detentions and were reopened afterward, Batı commented on the announcement being made at the beginning of the week, unlike in previous years: "It is not a coincidence. It was a closure decision made to prevent today's protest from becoming massive and growing, and to criminalize today's protest; it was reopened after the protest was stopped by the police and the trade unionists, workers, laborers, and politicians present there were detained," he explained. 

‘THERE WILL BE VIOLENCE’

Batı commented, "As the public's anger grows, the ruling powers will use different methodologies to curb the public's anger, perhaps to pull it in different directions. In current conditions, with a government that has already lost its political legitimacy, the most frequently resorted to of these methods will be violence."

‘WE SEE THE TREATMENT’

On the other hand, it was learned that 1 young member of SOL Genç studying at İzmir Dokuz Eylül University (DEÜ) was detained yesterday morning, while search warrants were issued for 2 other students.

Reporting that while 9 of the students were detained, an investigation is being conducted against a total of 16 students within the scope of the file, Lawyer Çağdaş Bülbül said, "The fact that DEÜ's progressive students, who defend their right to education, are defending their school against a group trying to besiege the university with a government-backed, mafia-like gang mentality is proof of why so much attention is being paid to this file. Although the students are being accused of 'preventing the right to education' and 'inciting the public to hatred and hostility,' we essentially see the treatment that the young people currently in detention are being subjected to because they defended their university," he said.

‘CLEARLY REVEALS THEIR INTENTIONS’

Describing the timing of the detentions just before May 1 as an "attempt at intimidation," Bülbül said, "Even though the subject of the investigation is independent of May Day, the fact that the file was kept pending since September and the operation was carried out exactly during May Day week clearly reveals their intentions.

Moreover, there is no criminal element in the file, there is no illegal act. We believe that the students will be released from here and will continue to defend their university," he expressed. 

On the other hand, stating that there is no data regarding any torture, Bülbül conveyed that the students whose statements were completed at the police station would be brought to the courthouse on April 28 (Today) at 10:00.

News: Cenk BAŞBOĞALOĞLU

News Source: 12punto