Center for Defending Defenders of The Arrested Lawyers Initiative
Incident Overview – June 27, 2024
On the night of June 27, 2024, lawyers Şehnaz Altunkaya and Bahtiyar Kandeğer visited the Istanbul Directorate of Organized Crime to inquire about the whereabouts and welfare of two clients who were reportedly detained without formal arrest warrants. What was intended as a professional visit to ensure the rights and safety of their clients quickly escalated into a violent encounter with the police officers stationed there.
Sequence of Events
Upon arrival, both lawyers were informed that their clients were being held but were subjected to an excessive waiting period without any updates, raising initial concerns about the transparency and cooperation of the police. As the night progressed, the situation deteriorated rapidly when both lawyers attempted to re-enter the station after being initially barred from seeing their clients.
Assault Details
At approximately 1:00 AM, Şehnaz Altunkaya reported being surrounded and attacked by 7-8 male officers. She detailed a brutal assault where she was pushed down stairs, repeatedly kicked, spat upon, and handcuffed with excessive force behind her back. “Despite my small stature and non-threatening appearance, they accused me of resisting and subjected me to severe and disproportionate violence,” Altunkaya recounted, highlighting a disturbing use of force by the police officers involved. This abuse occurred primarily out of the view of surveillance cameras, suggesting a deliberate attempt to avoid accountability.
Bahtiyar Kandeğer experienced similar brutality; he was restrained by several officers while others participated in beating him, resulting in significant physical injuries including a repeatedly slammed head and a torn ear. The violence was severe enough that Kandeğer described it as being “beaten nearly to death.”
Lack of Intervention and Official Response
Both lawyers emphasized the non-interference of other police officers present during the assaults, pointing to a complicit silence that suggests an environment where such brutality is either tolerated or endorsed. When Kandeğer later reached out to the duty prosecutor to report the incident, his concerns were dismissed, and he was told to return in the morning unless he was dead, indicating a stark refusal to address or document the complaint promptly.
Additional Concerns
During the assault, Altunkaya’s personal belongings, including her phone and a sum of money, were stolen, adding robbery to the list of offenses during this ordeal. Moreover, subsequent requests for CCTV footage by lawyer Kandeğer have been stonewalled by the police, raising serious concerns about obstruction of justice and the integrity of the police force involved.
Conclusion and Call to Action
The alleged events of June 27 represent a grave violation of human rights and a blatant disregard for the legal protections afforded to individuals, especially those in vulnerable positions such as detainees and their legal representatives. This incident underscores the urgent need for a transparent investigation into the conduct of the officers at the Istanbul Directorate of Organized Crime, as well as the need for systemic reforms to prevent future occurrences of such egregious behavior.
The Arrested Lawyers Initiative calls upon local and international bodies to demand accountability and ensure that justice is served for the victims of this brutal encounter. It is imperative that the legal community, human rights organizations, and concerned citizens stand in solidarity with those who face such injustices while performing their professional duties.
Categories: Turkey Human Rights Blog