Metin Lokumcu case: Prosecutor requests acquittal for police officers

The trial of 13 police officers regarding the death of 55-year-old retired teacher Metin Lokumcu, who died after being affected by pepper spray used by police before an AK Party rally during Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's term as prime minister in the Hopa district of Artvin on May 31, 2011, was held at the Trabzon 2nd High Criminal Court.

CHP deputies Tahsin Ocaklı and Sibel Suiçmez also attended the hearing. The Lokumcu family, their lawyers, and the defendants' lawyers were present at today's hearing.

According to the report by Evrim Kepenek from Bianet, the prosecutor presented their final opinion and requested the acquittal of the police officers on trial.

EMPHASIS ON 'DEATH BY HEART ATTACK'

Stating that the police had the authority to use force during the protests and that the police had issued warnings on the day of the incident, the prosecutor claimed that it was not proven that Lokumcu's death was caused by pepper spray. The opinion stated that the death occurred due to a heart attack and that this did not mean it was caused by pepper spray.

'OPINION IS A DISAPPOINTMENT'

Lokumcu family lawyer Meriç Eyüboğlu said in her statement regarding the opinion, “The opinion is a huge disappointment. The evidence and documents we presented were completely ignored by the trial prosecutor. We hope the court does not reach such a verdict so that our disappointment does not continue. We request time to submit our statement against the opinion.”

The court accepted the requests for time.

The next hearing will be held on September 6.

News Source: 12punto