Indictment demands life imprisonment over Gezi protester’s death

ESKİŞEHİR – Doğan News Agency

Ali İsmail Korkmaz, a university student from Antakya that was studying in the Central Anatolian province, died of a brain hemorrhage on July 10 after spending 38 days in a coma in Eskişehir. DHA photo

An Eskişehir public prosecutor has completed an indictment into the murder of 19-year-old Gezi protester Ali İsmail Korkmaz, demanding charges of life imprisonment for the fatal beating of the victim.

Korkmaz, a university student from Antakya that was studying in the Central Anatolian province, died of a brain hemorrhage on July 10 after spending 38 days in a coma in Eskişehir, where he was beaten during a June demonstration.

Four people working at a bakery and four public officers face accusations of beating Korkmaz to death.
A 21-page indictment prepared by the public prosecutor, Hakan Ali Erkan, demanded life imprisonment for arrested suspect police officer M.S., saying he could have foreseen that the victim would die with his sudden, unexpected and repeated kicks to Korkmaz’s chest and head.

The indictment also said the other four suspects under arrest, the owner of the bakery İ.K., his relatives R.K., M.V., as well as bakery worker E.H., helped stop the running victim and abetted the murder.

The five suspects were involved in the murder of Korkmaz by their actions that “supported, enabled and facilitated” M.S.’ actions, said the indictment.

Three police officers, who are on trial pending arrest, Ş.G., H.E. and Y.A., were also involved in the murder of Korkmaz by similarly “supporting, enabling and facilitating” the killing, the indictment alleged.

The indictment is expected to be sent to court after being examined by the Eskişehir Public Prosecutor’s office.