This is what we get if we allow AK Parti to relax secularism in Turkey...

September 25, 2007
A new incident of torture and attack is recorded against the Beyoğlu police in Istanbul. Özkan Kuru, a university senior student was enjoying a beer in the most popular restaurant region at the heart of Istanbul, İstiklal street when he was suddenly surrounded by uniformed policemen. They threw his beer bottle on the ground and broke it, asking him why he was drinking in Ramadan. After throwing his food on the ground also, the police took his cigarette and extinguished it as well. Then they said, “Your hair style is not traditional Turkish, and how come you don’t know you can not drink in Ramadan?” Then they started beating the university student. When that wasn’t enough, they sprayed him with pepper spray.

After arresting and dragging him to the police car, Özkan Kuru was taken to a quiet place behind some stores. He recalls, “They beat me up there and stole the 150 Euros I had in my pocket. He said he did not think that people should be attacked because of how their hair looks or if they eat or drink anytime. Mr. Kuru has taken his case to the Human Rights Association and he has been treated for his injuries in the hands of the fundamentalist police.

Turkey claims to be a secular country yet many state authorities ignore the law and force their religious beliefs upon others.

Özkan Kuru is seeking justice and is demanding an investigation of the incident while pursuing his case also through the Human Rights Association.

What a travesty for this man! It's astonishing and an abomination! I would hope these were the acts of "individual policemen" who where enforcing there own views and not necessarily police policy. It will be interesting to see how this is handled.

i dont want to believe if this is true...

Where can we read this article?

Sounds terrible if this is all about politics. Though it`s tragic anyway. Turkey a secular state!

one source

story in turkish

Wow.. thank you very much.

I don't know why this story should be so surprising though. Erdogan went to jail when he was mayor of Istanbul for ignoring secular laws among other crimes against the state.

So true. Unfortunately it`s not surprising. But as the others here i hope this was individually.

Believe it....But I believe most of these incidents are
of individual actions while hiding behind 'Police Uniforms'- after all - they are there to 'protect you ' are they not?

Also, unless one was an actual witness - from the begining
to the end - you will never know what really provoked this
situtation.....At times, the perpetrators brings things upon
themselves by 'mouthing off ' when they should stay silent.

For the sake of those around this poor guy, he should have
used better judgement and simply not drank during this holy
time....' Ramadan '. People are serious about their faith.

I've worked in Saudi and while there , during Ramadan,
I simply conformed to their way of life....easy.

There are many ruthless 'Peace Officers' world over...Most
of them are younger and really unqualified or mature enough
to 'police' people.

If one goes to Mexico, you will find this a common
occurrance, espcially against tourists.....espcially
against caucasian tourists.....

My son works for the police in the US and I
know - These officers are only human too and they have their limits....Test these limits at the wrong time, wrong place , with a bad attitude and you are history....

When in Rome...and better yet...ESPECIALLY IF you ARE from Rome....
Do as the Romans do....Discipline yourself....