Turkish Cypriot police officer sentenced to 50 days in prison for brutalizing a drunk passenger at the airport

A Turkish Cypriot police officer who brutalized a passenger at the airport has been sentenced to 50 days in  prison.

The incident happened on June, 13, 2019 at Ercan airport. The passenger was reportedly kicked three times by the police while he was on the floor on the ground that he swore at him.

The police officer was expelled from the force after the incident.

A judicial process, initiated by a man identified as Barış Tikenci, who wanted to leave the country via Ercan Airport stated the he was beaten by a police officer on the grounds that he was drunk and showing signs of discomfort while passing through the X-Ray device at the airport.

Delivering judgement on the issue on Friday, April, 9, 2021, Lefkosa District Court Judge Temay Sağer in his verdict described the defendant's action committed in official uniforms while working in the police organization responsible for security and public order as an aggravating factor.

Sağer stated that the TRNC is a state of law and that nobody can be allowed to provide their own justice. Sağer said that he is responsible for security, protecting the rights and freedoms of individuals within the framework of the laws, just like the Police Department, and that criminal offence by the members of this institution undermines the trust in the police organization.

Stating that the police are obliged to serve within the framework of the Constitution and laws, Sağer stated that although the defendant's lawyer was on duty at the scene of the crime, other police officers did not intervene in the incident, but he considered this issue in favor of the defendant.

Noting that the way the crime was committed and the severity of the crime should also be taken into consideration while the punishment is being assessed, Sağer emphasized that the punishment to be given to the accused should be a deterrent.  

Sağer stated that in the light of all the facts, the defendant should be sentenced to prison for public interest and sentenced the defendant to a prison sentence of 50 days.