A verdict was reached today, 12 June, in the 11th hearing of the high-profile murder case of Kurdish human rights lawyer Tahir Elçi, as the court room erupted in outrage at the acquittal of three police officers alleged in the killing.
Elçi, former president of the Diyarbakır (Amed) Bar Association was shot in the head near the historical Four-legged Minaret in the Sur district of the city on 28 November 2015, widely considered an assassination.
During the hearing, the prosecution reiterated its earlier request for acquittal of the police officers Sinan Tabur, Fuat Tan and Mesut Sevgi, accused of ‘causing death by culpable negligence’ while a fourth defendant, Uğur Yakışır, who is still at large, faced charges of ‘disrupting the unity of the state and killing two police officers’.
Elçi’s wife and Republican People’s Party (CHP) MP Türkan Elçi, Erinç Sağkan, President of the Association of Turkish Bars (TBB), the presidents of numerous regional bar associations, representatives from the Lawyers for Freedom Association (ÖHD), Human Rights Association (İHD), Democratic Regions Party (DBP) and the People’s Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party), among others attended the session, held at the Diyarbakır Serious Penalty Court No 10.
During the proceedings, Tahir Elçi’s brother, Mehmet Elçi, highlighted the absence of crucial evidence, particularly a 13-second gap in the video footage capturing the moment of Elçi’s shooting, and stressing allegations of witness intimidation to sway testimonies against Elçi. His sentiments were echoed by Nahit Eren, president of the Diyarbakır Bar Association, who highlighted the significance of the case, labelling the murder a “political assassination” resonating beyond its judicial scope.
The lawyer Orhan Kemal Cengiz criticised the perceived bias in the court’s approach, citing the reluctance to consider evidence favourably and the deliberate destruction of crucial evidence, indicating a systemic effort to obstruct justice. This sentiment was shared by the lawyer Gamze Yalçın, who lamented the absence of thorough investigation and the apparent leniency toward the accused officers.
A further voice of concern emerged from lawyer Benan Molu, who highlighted the lack of effective investigation and the failure to uphold the principle of impartiality in the judicial process. The lawyer Tuğçe Duygu Köksal criticised the prosecution’s premature stance on acquittal, emphasising the necessity of a comprehensive examination of evidence before reaching conclusions.
In response, the integrity of the indictment was questioned in the court room, with suggestions of an inherent bias. TBB president Erinç Sağkan denounced the perceived lack of cooperation from the judiciary and warned against the verdict lacking credibility.
Lawyer Mehmet Emin Aktar recalled the events surrounding Elçi’s assassination, pointing out the systemic flaws in the investigation and expressing scepticism regarding the impartiality of the trial. Aziz Tokay, another lawyer for the Elçi family, reiterated the demand for justice and transparency in the proceedings.
Throughout the trial, concerns over the impartiality and transparency of the judicial process were raised by legal experts and civil society representatives alike, highlighting the broader implications of the case beyond the courtroom.
Participants of the trial continue to advocate for a fair and comprehensive investigation into Tahir Elçi’s assassination, stressing the importance of upholding the principles of justice and accountability.
