Probe launched into use of water cannons against two protesters in Istanbul

ISTANBUL – Doğan News Agency

The picture, showing both protesters completely wet, falling and rolling on the ground without opposition due to the pressure of the water had sparked anger on social media. Hürriyet photo

Istanbul Governor’s Office launched an investigation into the use of water cannon at two people who held a sit-in protest on Jan. 18 against the raids on the Revolutionary People’s Liberation Party/Front (DHKP/C). 

A handful of people gathered in front of the Istanbul Police Department headquarters in the centric Vatan Avenue to denounce the detention of seven alleged members of the leftist organization following an operation into home addresses in the morning of Jan. 18.

Two middle-aged people were chanting against the operation targeting DHKP/C as police fired pressurized water from a TOMA to prevent the protest

The picture, showing both protesters completely wet, falling and rolling on the ground without opposition due to the pressure of the water, had raised anger over police’s excessive use of force. 

Another woman who was carrying a child in her arms reportedly moved away as she saw the TOMA truck approaching. 

Istanbul Gov. Hüseyin Avni Mutlu said the incident would be examined. “An investigation had been launched over those responsible for the intervention by firing water on two people on Saturday,” Mutlu said via Twitter Jan. 20.

The water-firing trucks were largely used to disperse protesters during the nationwide Gezi protests last summer.