Abuse of power & retaliationCourts & justice
Turkey's Constitutional Court found no right-to-life violation in the 2016 shooting of Sürmi İnce by a soldier; her family has gone to the European Court
Confidence: Corroborated · 2 sourcesTurkey · Oct 6, 2026
Subject of this story
Constitutional Court of Turkey
Also named
Oversight
European Court of Human Rights
Advocate
Stockholm Center for Freedom
What happened
Sürmi İnce, an unarmed 55-year-old woman, was shot on 18 July 2016 in Yüksekova, Hakkari, from an armored vehicle. A specialist sergeant was convicted of causing death by negligence and sentenced to under four years, and the conviction was upheld on appeal; Stockholm Center for Freedom reports prosecutors declined to prosecute the outpost commander and nine other personnel. In March 2026 the Constitutional Court found no violation of the right to life. Her family and lawyers applied to the European Court of Human Rights in June 2026, arguing the investigation lacked independence, ballistic analysis and examination of command responsibility.
Sources (2)
Stockholm Center for FreedomThe Constitutional Court determined that the soldier did not act with intent to kill; prosecutors declined to prosecute the outpost commander and nine other military personnel.
Artı GerçekRejected claims of right-to-life violation citing completed investigation and punishment; family and lawyers filed with the ECtHR in June 2026.
Response
Constitutional Court of Turkey
Not yet contacted
Not yet contacted for this story.
What happened next (0)
No outcome recorded yet.