News Center- On March 21, 2023, a 14-year-old child namely Y.D. was kidnapped and beaten by police officers in the Lice district of Amed (Diyarbakır). Three police officers, who were arrested as part of the investigation launched into the incident, have been released from prison.

 The Diyarbakır Bar Association announced the release of the three police officers on its social media account.

“The Lice Criminal Court of First Instance had decided non-jurisdiction on the grounds that the actions of the police officers against the 14-year-old boy were a 'Crime of Torture'. Upon the objection of the accused police officers, the Diyarbakır 1st High Criminal Court revoked the decision of non-jurisdiction because the factors of the crime of torture did not occur, and decided to release the three arrested police officers. Although the factors of the crime of torture occurred, the court decision for the revoke the decision of non-jurisdiction and the release of the police officers is because of the policy of impunity. We will keep following up the legal process,” said the social media post of the bar association.

 What had happened?

 On March 21, 2023, A 14-year-old child namely Y.D. was stopped by police officers in the Lice district of Amed while returning home with a 10-year-old friend. While the police officers allowed his friend to go, they beat Y.D. and forced him to say, “I am a Turk”, to insult the Kurds and to sing the Turkish national anthem. After they tied his hands and feet, they threw him into a swamp near the district. A villager found the child after hearing his voice. As part of the investigation launched into the incident, three police officers were detained and then sent to prison on charges of “deprivation of liberty and deliberately injuring”.