Court acquits police officer who murdered 5-year-old in Amed

Turkish police officer İdris Aksoy ran over and killed 5-year-old Efe Tektekin while driving an armoured military vehicle in Bağlar district of Amed (Diyarbakır) on 11 September 2019. Efe Tektekin’s grandfather, Mehmet Tektekin (85), had lost his life after being hit by a water cannon vehicle on 6 June 2016.

While the police officer was accused of reckless killing, the prosecutor demanded that he be sentenced to imprisonment from 2 to 6 years. When asked about his opinion, the murderer said, “I have no fault, and I have a clear conscience.”

VEHICLE REMOVED, CAMERAS DID NOT WORK

“Right after the incident, the armoured vehicle was removed from the scene. Photos of the vehicle were not taken, and city surveillance cameras were not examined. The statements of the suspect reveal that he went off the usual route while driving the vehicle,” family lawyer Sedat Çınar said.

Çınar added that it is against reason and science to accuse a 5-year-old child in the incident in question.

Lawyer Kübra Nur Kartal requested the court to take a decision of non-jurisdiction.

Lawyer Ömer Sansarkan reacted to the policy of impunity.

MURDERER ACQUITTED

The court acquitted police officer Idris Aksoy saying that there was no evil purpose and negligence.

The Tektekin Family and the lawyers of Amed Bar Association’s Child Rights Centre said that they would appeal to a higher court against the decision.