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....

Didn't know this. Thanks.
My message still applies otherwise..thank you for the tip.

Turkey is over 99% muslim of course. And throughout the country, there are regions that are more religous than others. In Istanbul, Beyoglu and Taksim are know for nightlife. Everyone knows this, practicing muslims and non-practicing muslims alike know this. So anyone that chooses to visit this area (even during Ramazan), they should expect to see people that are not fasting.

I do agree that you should respect the area that you are in. Most areas of Istanbul, it would not be appropriate during Ramazan to drink water, smoke or eat in public. But Istiklal is not one of these places....

This is a broad generalization but the Christians and Jews who live here do not to seem overly religous to me. Most of the Jews in istanbul live in Sisli, and it does not appear to me that they observe the sabbath. The Italian Catholic Church is usually empty on Sundays and the masses are very short and simple. The orthodox churches are spread out all over the city. But again, if I pass one, I never think to myself there is alot of activity in them during the week or on Sundays.

As far as Christians are concerned.....It is a CHOICE to
attend services....not a law. To 'Keep Holy the Lords's
Day' is does not mean a phyisical presence inside a building.
It is a commandment to fast and pray. Where one does this
is their choice....so many CANNOT attend.

Catholics are 'christians' also but they have 'rules' concerning being present at Mass on Sundays....

Christians have no such religious rules..just the Bible.

thehandsom,
Read the forums maybe before posting. A question was asked and I answered it...

Yes....they have what is called a 'Catechism'. This catechism, among many things - outlines Church laws and

Traditions that a Catholic must adhere to.
In this Catechism , one will find all the 'rules, tradtions,
suggestions,etc to remain a 'good Catholic'.

They follow many traditions instituted by the Mageisterium
formed hundreds of years ago by the Pontiffs ( popes ) and
Bishops,...etc....

Catholicism is a 'Religion'...

Christianity is not ...it is a Relationship with God - a very personal one.

It's terrible.I hope they werent real police officers.

Welcome to the death of civil rights now as it is happening in Iraq for some years now! That's just the beginning Turikish friends and who knows what is coming later?
These everythings including killings in the sake of God in Iraq... you know what was Iraq before 30 years ago?

The english version of the article starts with "A new incident of torture and attack is recorded agianst Beyoglu police". Keith, do you know if this reffers to other recent incidents involving Beyoglu police?

There are incidents of police brutality in Taksim all the time. Don't remember the circumstances but earlier this year or late last year, they caught a big policeman punching and shoving an older man (with his wife) in a beyoglu cafe. The video was all over the news for a few days.

as Alameda said, i didn't find no other trace of the news, either, except for the webpage where the english version was posted. I hope this was just a tendencious introduction (although this can be as well acceptable) of an article and that this is an isolated incident, and not a sign of loosing freedom and of future violations of rights.

as I said, it was only a wild guess....

It appears incidents of authority abuse are increasing world wide. Anytime you have a situation where someone is in a position of power, and someone who challenges them, things happen.

I'm posting these because I'm aware of them, seeing as I live in the US. Please do not take this as a show of anti-Western-ism.

Cnn Your opinion: Reaction to police using Taser on student
http://www.cnn.com/2007/LIVING/studentnews/09/20/student.tasered.your.opinion/
Tasered Ohio Woman Describes Agony
http://www.cbsnews.com/stories/2007/09/25/national/main3294648.shtml?source=mostpop_story

.

A few days ago a friend showed me this link.

http://www.milliyet.com.tr/2007/09/25/yasam/axyas02.html



Watch the movie, press "baslat".

They were suspecting that the girl had stolen jewellery. But after all they had to let her go because of lack of evidence..

Why is it wrong? I respect the right of the AK parti do govern after winning a fair election. At the same time, there is nothing wrong in keeping an eye on the system to make sure Turkey is progessing and not regressing. Politically, Turkey is so polarized that a political atmosphere resembling the 70's seems present. No one wants a repeat of the left/right street wars of this period.

I hope so too. On a personal level, I like Gül and think he is a good maan.