Following an event in İstanbul’s Taksim on May 31, 2014, the first anniversary of the Gezi resistance, the then Evrensel editor Erdal İmrek was deforced and battered by police officers. 3 police officers appeared before the judge years after the incident. 

The trial of the police officers began at the İstanbul 60th Criminal Court of First Instance. At the hearing, İmrek’s lawyer Yıldız İmrek requested a decision of lack of jurisdiction for the court. Despite the objection of the prosecutor’s office, the court gave the decision and ruled that the case should be transferred to the İstanbul High Criminal Court on Duty.

While judicial remedies are available against this decision, the 3 police officers will potentially be tried for hindering press freedom, deprivation of liberty and torture if the decision is accepted by the upper court (June 24).