In a statement issued today (May 27), Amnesty gave updated information regarding the two individuals killed in the recent violence in the Okmeydani district of Istanbul:

1. “Uğur Kurt died after he was shot in the head while attending a funeral at the Cemevi (Alevi place of worship) in Okmeydanı at around 11.30 in the morning. The autopsy report confirms the bullet wound, and the recovery of a bullet, “probably” a 9mm. The findings are consistent with the account that he was hit by a bullet fired by police. ”

2. “The circumstances of the death of a second individual, who was later identified as Ayhan Yılmaz, are far less clear. Ayhan Yilmaz died on 23 May after sustaining injuries the previous evening at the scene of clashes between members of the public and police in the Okmeydanı district. Subsequent reports that the injury was caused by shrapnel are not consistent with an injury caused by a tear gas canister as initially reported.”

Amnesty International calls on authorities “to ensure that any subsequent use of force by law enforcement officials adheres strictly to the principles of necessity and proportionality set out in international human rights standards.”  Amnesty also “urges demonstrators not to engage in acts of violence.”