Turkish Court Arrests Policeman in Protester Killing
A Turkish court on Monday arrested a riot policeman accused of killing a protester during mass anti-government protests last year, in a key victory for the victim's family.
The family of 26-year-old Ethem Sarisuluk -- who was shot dead in anti-government protests in Ankara -- has long denounced the trial as biased and pointed to alleged political pressure on the judiciary.
Policeman Ahmet Sahbaz is accused of shooting Sarisuluk in Ankara during the first days of the demonstrations that erupted in June 2013 against the government of Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan.
Prosecutors charged Sahbaz with possible voluntary manslaughter and on Monday requested a sentence of 25 years -- higher than the previous term of five years on the grounds that he was using his service weapon.
Sahbaz had previously remained at liberty after his lawyers argued he fired at the protester in self defense.
The failure of the court to detain him had drawn the ire of human rights groups and his arrest marked a key victory for the prosecution and Sarisuluk's family.
The hearing has been adjourned until September 3 when a verdict is expected to be delivered.
A video of Sarisuluk's shooting went viral on social media and was used by prosecutors as evidence that the police officer who pulled the trigger was intentionally attacking protesters.
Sarisuluk was one of eight people killed in clashes across Turkey last year after police cracked down on a peaceful protest to save an Istanbul park from redevelopment.
Outside the court on Monday, around 600 demonstrators gathered in support of the victim, shouting slogans such as "The killer state will be held accountable" and "We demand justice," an Agence France Presse journalist said.
Source: Agence France Presse
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