Student Claims Torture by Police After Arrest for Sharing Imamoğlu Protest Content on Social Media

A 23-year-old university student in Türkiye, Eren Üner, has filed a criminal complaint against police officers, alleging he was subjected to torture, beatings, and threats while in custody following his arrest for a social media post supporting protests over the detention of opposition figure Ekrem İmamoğlu.

Arrest Sparked by Viral Protest Footage

Üner, a second-year student in the History Department, had reposted footage of police officers detaining protestors during demonstrations in support of CHP’s presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu. His post included screenshots of police sharing images of protestors with threats and insults via their own social media.

Following this, the officers filed a complaint against Üner, and a cybercrime investigation was launched.

On the night of March 24, 2025, officers from Istanbul Police Cyber Crimes Unit raided Üner’s home and took him into custody. He was transported to the Vatan Street Police Headquarters and later held at Metris Prison after a court ordered his pretrial detention.

Released After 15 Days, Files Torture Complaint

Üner was held in pretrial detention for 15 days before being released. Afterward, he made a public statement on his X (formerly Twitter) account, alleging he had endured beatings, insults, and threats during his time in custody.

On April 22, Üner officially filed a criminal complaint with the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, accusing six officers of torture, intentional injury, threats, insults, and abuse of office.

According to the complaint filed by Üner’s legal team, he was:

• Taken to a closed office at the Cyber Crimes Unit headquarters

• Beaten for hours by six officers

• Subjected to verbal abuse and death threats, including slurs such as “traitor”

• Threatened not to speak during a medical exam for fear of retaliation

Lawyer Allegedly Present, Failed to Intervene

One particularly disturbing claim in the complaint involves a state-appointed lawyer, identified as I.G., who allegedly witnessed the abuse and said nothing to intervene. Instead, the lawyer allegedly told the officers, “Don’t beat him too much, go easy on him.”

Üner later reported the abuse to prison guards at Metris during intake, who refused to admit him without a medical report. Police were then forced to bring him to Haseki Hospital, where his injuries were documented.

A follow-up medical report from March 26, prepared by the prison physician, confirmed visible injuries to his ears, neck, and face.

Attempted Cover-Up at Initial Hospital Visit

Üner’s lawyers claim that during his first hospital visit to Bayrampaşa State Hospital, police escorted him into the examination room and pressured him to remain silent. As a result, no injuries were documented.

However, at Haseki Hospital, police remained outside the room, and a proper examination revealed multiple contusions and soft tissue injuries, which were later confirmed by the prison doctor.

Viral Post Ignored by Officials

Despite Üner’s post about the incident receiving over 8 million views on X, he told ANKA News Agency that no official has contacted him since going public with the allegations.

“The post received massive public attention, but I haven’t heard from a single government authority,” he said.

Üner’s case has further ignited concerns about police brutality in Türkiye, particularly in relation to political dissent, freedom of expression, and the treatment of student protestors during the post-Imamoğlu arrest unrest.