Human Rights Watch (HRW) on Thursday highlighted the upcoming trial of 13 Turkish law enforcement officers as a crucial moment for justice in Türkiye. These officers face serious charges of torture and resulting death in custody, specifically linked to the case of Ahmet Güreşçi and the severe injury of his brother Sabri Güreşçi. This trial, set to commence on September 9, 2025, could represent a significant shift in addressing police brutality within the country.

The charges stem from an incident on February 11, 2023, when the Güreşçi brothers were arrested on suspicions of looting post-earthquake in Hatay. Reports from HRW detail that the brothers were subjected to extreme physical violence en route to the station and further brutal treatment at Altınözü Central District Gendarmerie Station. This abuse was reportedly aimed at extracting confessions. Ahmet Güreşçi succumbed to his injuries, primarily a fatal brain hemorrhage caused by repeated head strikes, as confirmed by autopsy results from Türkiye’s Forensic Medicine Institute.

The accused officers have denied these allegations, claiming the brothers already had injuries upon arrest and that Ahmet's fatal injuries were accidental. However, the international and local legal frameworks strongly contest these defenses. Torture is strictly prohibited under several treaties to which Türkiye is a signatory, including the UN Convention against Torture, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights (ICCPR), and the European Convention on Human Rights. Moreover, these documents mandate humane treatment of all detainees.

This trial aligns with heightened scrutiny over Türkiye's handling of police misconduct, especially following recent calls by Amnesty International for investigations into alleged police torture during protests earlier in June 2025. Morris Tidball-Binz, the UN Special Rapporteur on extrajudicial, summary, or arbitrary executions, has also underscored the global importance of accountability for deaths in custody, labeling it a "silent global tragedy."

As this trial unfolds, it may set a precedent in Türkiye for the enforcement of international human rights standards and the treatment of detainees, spotlighting the country's commitment to upholding its legal obligations under international law. This case not only challenges the local judicial apparatus but also tests the international community's resolve in combating torture and ensuring justice for victims of state violence.