Policeman Challenges Military Immunity

A Turkish police superintendent based in the northern Black Sea town of Ordu has filed a case against an administrative circular that prevents police officers from detaining any soldiers or members of the country's armed forces even if they are caught 'red handed' while committing a crime out of uniform.

Superintendent Kadir Ozdemir's petition with the Ordu Administrative Court is against a Turkish National Police General Directorate circular which was previously also challenged by the Human Rights Association (IHD) for violating the principles of equality and supremacy of law.

In his court application, Ozdemir explained that this the practice would lead to irreparable harm.

He said the relevant circular contradicted the Turkish Constitution and was a violation of democracy and the rule of law. Ozdemir's petition argued that as the circular needed to be enforced, it would force police officers to continuously commit the offence of neglecting their judicial duty. (TK/II/YE)