Turkish Constitutional Court orders compensation for Gezi Park protest injury

The Constitutional Court of Turkey has ruled that the state is responsible for the injury of Selçuk Yıldız, who was struck in the eye by a police gas canister during the Gezi Park protests in Istanbul on June 3, 2013.

Yıldız was walking to work when a police officer allegedly threw a gas canister from a distance of approximately five meters, hitting him in the face. Medical reports confirmed injuries to his frontal region and a reduction in vision sharpness in his left eye.

The Court determined that the material and procedural aspects of the prohibition against torture and ill-treatment were violated. Consequently, the Court ordered a new investigation into the incident and mandated the payment of 540,000 Turkish Lira in non-pecuniary damages to Yıldız due to his loss of vision.