High judiciary board to probe officials asleep during Gezi protester murder trial

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

DHA Photo

Turkey’s top judiciary authority has launched an inquiry into a prosecutor and a judge, who were seen sleeping in the courtroom during the hearing of a Gezi protester’s murder case.

The Supreme Board of Judges and Prosecutors (HSYK) has taken action after the release of images of a prosecutor and one of the judges sleeping in the courtroom, during the ongoing trial of a police officer who shot Gezi protester Ethem Sarısülük dead.

The judiciary officials were seen napping while one of the Sarısülük family lawyers, Kazım Bayraktar, was speaking.

The HSYK has taken the photos circulating on social media platforms and opened the investigation. 

The board has also asked for more footage from the Ankara Sixth Criminal Court.

The HSYK will be able to launch an investigation into the judge and the prosecutor if deemed necessary after the inquiry’s completion.