Police accuse protesters of ‘disproving Turkish PM’s statements’ on Gezi protests

ADANA

This file picture of May 31, 2014, shows a protester taking a selfie with riot police on the background during the Gezi anniversary demonstrations in Adana's Atatürk Park. DHA Photo

Police have demanded prosecutors to press charges on 28 protesters, detained for their participation in several demonstrations between August 2013 and April 2014 in the southern province of Adana, with “trying to disprove the prime minister’s statements during the Gezi Park incidents.”

According to a report from daily Cumhuriyet, Adana Police Department’s anti-terror branch has accused 28 defendants, including doctors and teachers, of reviving Gezi protests with events such as park forums.

“[Protesters] were acting together with leftist terrorist organizations and fractions according to the orders of terror organizations in order to gather large groups of people on the basis of opposition against the government,” read the summary of the proceedings prepared for the protesters.

Police also claimed the park forums were under the control of “illegal groups” and tried to turn the crowd against the police and “our prime minister” by screening videos.

“The content of the images treated topics such as the disproportionate use of force in the so-called police violence and it has been determined that images akin to disproving our prime minister’s statements during the Gezi incidents were compiled,” it said.

All 28 were also accused with charges that have become common for Gezi protesters, including “membership of an armed terrorist organization” and “inciting the people against the government.”

Adana prosecutors will consider opening a lawsuit based on the summary of proceedings sent by the police.