The Acquittal of Turkish Police Officers in the Tahir Elci Case Sparks Outrage
In a controversial decision that has sparked outrage among human rights advocates, a Turkish court has acquitted three police officers nine years after the killing of prominent rights lawyer Tahir Elci in the Kurdish-majority city of Diyarbakir. The acquittal comes after a lengthy trial in which the officers were accused of “causing death by foreseeable negligence” in connection with Elci’s killing.
Tahir Elci, who was the head of the Diyarbakir bar association and a vocal campaigner for Kurdish rights, was shot dead on a city street on November 28, 2015, during a gunfight between outlawed Kurdish militants and police. The incident occurred as Elci appealed for calm in the aftermath of the killing of two police officers by the PKK in a nearby street.
Amnesty International has condemned the court’s decision, calling it a “huge blow” to Elci’s family and the wider human rights community in Turkey. The organization’s deputy regional director for Europe, Dinushika Dissanayake, stated that the failure to hold those responsible for Elci’s killing accountable is a stain on the justice system in Turkey.
The trial, which opened in 2020 – five years after Elci’s death – was marred by delays and allegations of misconduct. Lawyers for Elci’s family denounced multiple failures in the investigation, including the destruction of evidence and changes in the prosecutor handling the case. Human Rights Watch and other advocacy groups had criticized the extreme delays in bringing the case to trial.
Elci’s death occurred against the backdrop of escalating violence between the Turkish state and the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), designated as a terrorist organization by Ankara and its Western allies. The collapse of a ceasefire between the two parties heightened tensions in the region and raised concerns about the safety of human rights defenders like Elci.
In 2019, investigators from Forensic Architecture, a London-based research agency, published a detailed report on the shooting, suggesting that security forces may have been responsible for Elci’s death. The report raised questions about the conduct of the police officers involved and called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding Elci’s killing.
The acquittal of the three police officers in connection with Tahir Elci’s death has reignited calls for justice and accountability in Turkey. Human rights organizations and supporters of Elci’s work have vowed to continue fighting for truth and transparency in cases of violence against activists and defenders of human rights.
As the debate over the court’s decision continues, one thing remains clear: the legacy of Tahir Elci and his tireless advocacy for Kurdish rights will not be forgotten. His tragic death serves as a stark reminder of the risks faced by those who speak out against injustice and oppression, and his memory will continue to inspire those who strive for a more just and equitable society.