Turkey has suspended 19 officers working in a prison over the death in custody of a leftist activist who had allegedly been tortured. The 29-year-old activist, Engin Ceber, died Saturday in a hospital from brain hemorrhage after he was allegedly beaten by prison officers.
Turkish Justice Minister Mehmet Ali Sahin said on Tuesday the 19 officers had been suspended over the case and apologized for ill-treatment of prisoners at Istanbul's Metris Detention Center. He told reporters a probe into Ceber's death had determined he had been mistreated by the prison staff. "I apologize to the relatives of (Ceber) on behalf of my government and the state," Sahin said, adding that those responsible would be punished. He declared that more officers might be suspended over the case. The Turkish government had earlier announced a policy of zero tolerance for torture in the country.
Ceber was detained last month during a protest against the authorities' inaction to bring to justice the police officers who allegedly shot and paralyzed a youth selling left-wing publications last year. The case has been used by the nationalist opposition to ask for the resignation of the Interior Minister. |