İstanbul governor refuses to permit investigation into police chief who beat LGBTI+ activists

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The İstanbul Governor Office has refused to permit an investigation into a police chief who battered and threatened LGBTI+s during the 30th LGBTI+ Pride Parade in Cihangir, İstanbul on June 26.

Eleven women and LGBTI+ activists on July 7 filed a petition with the İstanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, demanding an investigation against Hanifi Zengin, head of the Security Branch of the İstanbul police.

About a month later, the prosecutor's office requested permission from the governor's office to investigate the officer. The governor's office rejected the request on September 22.

"Proportional force"

The decision issued by Governor Ali Yerlikaya said police detained 373 people by exercising "gradual and proportional force" during the Pride Parade.

It also said the claims of 11 people about beating, torture and ill-treatment were not supported by "documents and footage."

The decision can be appealed within 10 days.

"Footage documented the violence"

One of the applicants told bianet they were not surprised by the decision despite the videos showing the violence on the streets. "At least, we have shown everyone that [he] committed this crime. We had already guessed that the governor's office would not give permission. We will continue to struggle on the streets."

Threats against journalists

During the Pride Parade, Zengin got AFP photojournalist Bülent Kılıç detained. He was filmed while inflicting violence on LGBTI+ activists.

During a demonstration by healthcare workers on July 7, he threatened journalists following the event. (EMK/VK)