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Sunday December 10, 2023
Istanbul (HOL) – Turkish Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç has announced a thorough judicial investigation into the actions of police officers following a fatal traffic accident in Istanbul involving Mohammed Hassan Sheikh Mohamud, the son of Somali President Hasan Sheikh Mohamud. The crash resulted in the death of motorcycle courier Yunus Emre Göçer.
The incident occurred on November 30 near Istanbul’s Eurasia Tunnel, where a Somali consular vehicle driven by Mohamud rear-ended Göçer’s motorcycle. Göçer, 38, was utilizing the safety lane at the time of the incident. Following the crash, Göçer sustained critical injuries and passed away after a six-day battle in the hospital. As stated by Minister Tunç on social media, the investigation will focus on the initial police response and the accuracy of their fault assessment amidst concerns about inconsistencies in the police reports.
Minister Tunç, in his statement, emphasized the principles of legal equality and thoroughness in the investigation process. “Everyone, irrespective of their position, is equal before the law,” Tunç stated, underlining the meticulous nature of the procedures being followed, including international protocols, to ensure justice is served.
Public interest in the case escalated when it was disclosed that Mohamud had fled Turkey on December 2, shortly after the accident. He left before Turkish authorities announced an international travel ban and arrest warrant, prompting a public outcry in Istanbul.
A key element of the investigation is an expert forensic traffic report that emphasized Mohamud was at primary fault. The report detailed clear weather and road conditions, ruling out environmental factors as a cause., The report also countered Mohamud’s claims that Göçer braked suddenly and turned without signalling. Camera footage revealed that Göçer slowed down in a controlled manner and adhered to traffic regulations, while Mohamud failed to maintain a safe following distance.
Additionally, the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office is investigating allegations of misconduct by law enforcement officers, including misleading Göçer’s wife about the nature of her husband’s death.
Öznur Göçer, the wife of the deceased, expressed her distress and frustration over the handling of the case. “I blame everyone involved in my husband’s death and those who facilitated the suspect’s escape. The police filed an incorrect report, which enabled the perpetrator to flee,” she alleged. Göçer added, “Until the footage came to light, the police misled us into believing my husband had committed suicide.”
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