Bursaspor fan to be compensated 377,000 Turkish Liras after losing eye from police bullet
BURSA – Doğan News Agency
A Turkish court ruled on Dec. 22 that a man who lost his eye after being hit by a police plastic bullet during a scuffle between police and football fans in 2014 was to be compensated almost 377,000 Turkish Liras ($98,500).
Osman Akarsu Yılmaz, 31, lost his eye during a brawl that broke out following a Ziraat Turkish Cup semifinal football match between the Bursaspor and Galatasaray club in April 2014 at the Bursa Atatürk Stadium. The match ended with Bursaspor losing to Galatasaray with a 5-2 loss, after which a group of Bursaspor fans called on the club’s management to resign.
The incident quickly escalated to physical violence as the police used tear gas and plastic bullets on the Bursaspor fans, one of which had hit Yılmaz’s right eye.
Yılmaz was immediately dispatched to the Uludağ University Hospital, which detected internal bleeding in the eye due to the impact of the bullet.
Following his treatment, Yılmaz filed a lawsuit against deputy police chief Aydın T. and police officer Nedim K. on charges of “causing someone reckless injury,” upon which the Bursa Penal Court of First Instance No. 16 handed down a sentence of six months and 20 days for Nedim K., while acquitting Aydın T. of charges. The police officer Nedim K. however, did not serve his sentence as the court delayed the pronouncement of the judgment.
Yılmaz has also sued the Bursa governor’s office and the provincial security general directorate for compensation.
The Bursa Third Administrative Court ruled on Dec. 22 that Yılmaz was to receive 336,879 liras in compensation for physical damage determined by the wage-loss his disability has caused him—an amount determined by the relevant experts. Additionally, he will receive 40,000 liras in immaterial compensation.
Yılmaz, married with one child, makes his living running a teahouse.
