Turkish police who killed a protester during turmoil freed pending trial

A Turkish police officer who allegedly shot to death a protester during anti-government demonstrations in the capital Ankara has been released pending trial.

Ankara’s Criminal Court rejected lawyers’ demand on Monday to detain the officer named Ahmet S., ruling that the shooting was “within the limits of self-defense,” Turkey’s Hurriyet Daily News said.

The 26-year-old protester, Ethem Sarisuluk, was shot in the head during a demonstration near Kizilay square on June 1. He died on June 14 after being declared brain dead.

Mustafa Sarisuluk, Ethem’s elder brother, slammed the court decision, describing it as “unlawful” and “injustice.”

“In this country, murderers are always freed. This is the last example. My brother was shot to death before the eyes of the world,” he said. Adding, “But we will continue our struggle and carry the matter to international platforms in the face of this unlawfulness and injustice.”

In the same day, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan praised the “legendary heroism” of police forces in quelling anti-government protests that have rocked the country for more than three weeks.

“Our police successfully passed a very important, very challenging democracy test,” Erdogan noted, adding, “Our police have responded to attacks, provocations without violating the law … and have written a saga of heroism.”

The unrest in Turkey began on May 31 after police broke up a sit-in at Istanbul’s Taksim Square to protest against a proposal to demolish Gezi Park.

The protesters said Gezi Park, which is a traditional gathering point for rallies and demonstrations as well as a popular tourist destination, is one of Istanbul’s last green public spaces.

The violence turned into nationwide demonstrations against the ruling Justice and Development Party, with police using water cannons, tear gas and rubber bullets against demonstrators.

Five people, including a police officer, have died in the clashes and more than 5,000 protesters and 600 police officers have been injured.