Intervention against animal rights activists keeping watch at Gebze shelter: 'They detained 5 of our friends, tore down our tents'

After a large number of cats and dogs were found in trash bags at the Stray Animal Rehabilitation Center in the Gebze district of Kocaeli, animal rights activists began a vigil for justice. On the 27th day of the vigil, 5 activists were detained after their tents were dismantled and removed by the gendarmerie. Aylin Kayaöner, spokesperson for the Gebze Animal Rights Initiative, shared the details with 12 Punto.

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On October 11, the carcasses of 51 stray animals were found in trash containers in front of the Stray Animal Care, Rehabilitation and Training Center belonging to the AKP-run Gebze Municipality. Following the incident, which sparked widespread public outrage, animal rights activists set up tents in front of the shelter and began a vigil for justice. However, on the 27th day of the vigil, their tents were dismantled with excavators and 5 people were detained. Speaking to 12 Punto, Gebze Animal Rights Initiative spokesperson Aylin Kayaöner emphasized that they would continue their resistance.

“THEY DETAINED 5 OF OUR FRIENDS”

Explaining the details of the incident, Kayaöner stated, “On the 27th day of our vigil, the Gebze Municipality municipal police intervened against us. They tore down our tents with brute force. They did it without any warning; the municipal police attacked us. They took our lawyer's phone and threw it, and they intervened against our friends. They detained 5 of our friends. They are currently at the police station. Our lawyers will go to them. They also took all our belongings. They even dug up our area with an excavator.”

“A MURDER WAS COMMITTED HERE”

Stating that the shelter officials have still not been subjected to an investigation, Kayaöner said, “A murder was committed here. It was proven that 43 animals were killed, first by injection and then by strangulation; yet, despite this, the municipality is not taking any steps and continues its tyranny. They do not accept their crimes, they have not suspended the staff, and they have not launched an investigation. They want to send us away from here because they are uncomfortable with our presence; they are uncomfortable with those who defend the right to life.”

“WE CAN KEEP WATCH EVEN WITHOUT TENTS”

Kayaöner conveyed their demands and concluded her words by saying, “We are not leaving; we are not going anywhere. We can keep watch even without tents. There are municipal police, gendarmerie, and their vehicles here right now. They have blocked the roads. They think they can intimidate us, but we will not be intimidated; we will continue the struggle. We are not leaving here until the Constitutional Court annuls the massacre law and until the 11 people working inside and Gebze Deputy Mayor Şenay Akın are put on trial.”

News Source: Beste Çelik