Istanbul, May 26 – A street vendor, Mustafa Altınöz (60), was injured yesterday evening after being struck by a municipal police motorcycle in the Avcılar district of Istanbul. The incident occurred around 6:30 PM on the Avcılar Coast. Municipal police officers from the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality were reportedly confiscating bicycles rented by Altınöz when the collision took place. The municipal police team then left the scene, while the injured vendor was transported to Avcılar Murat Kölük State Hospital by ambulance. The collision was captured on mobile phones by eyewitnesses.
Municipal Police Intervene, Vendor Injured
According to initial reports, municipal police teams were conducting an operation against street vendors renting bicycles on the Avcılar Coast. When officers attempted to confiscate Altınöz’s bicycles, he reportedly tried to prevent them. During this confrontation, a municipal police officer on a motorcycle collided with Altınöz. He fell to the ground, bleeding, while the municipal police departed the scene.
Bystanders immediately called emergency services. Medical teams arrived quickly and, after assessing Altınöz’s injuries, transported him to the hospital for treatment. The incident has drawn attention to the interactions between municipal authorities and street vendors.
Vendor Plans to File a Complaint
From his hospital bed, Mustafa Altınöz recounted the incident: “The municipal police teams came and took my bicycles. I told them, ‘What’s the need, I just opened three bicycles here for the holiday.’ At that moment, the motorcycle suddenly accelerated and hit me in the chest, and I fell to the ground. They left while I was still there. The camera was recording; it’s all on the helmet camera. There was no shouting, no swearing, no assault. I will file a complaint once I recover.”
Altınöz’s statement suggests a clear intention to pursue legal action against the municipal police, highlighting his belief that the incident was unwarranted and that evidence supports his claims. The footage reportedly captured by a helmet camera could be crucial in determining the exact sequence of events.
Eyewitnesses Record the Collision
The fact that the collision was recorded by bystanders on their mobile phones is significant. These recordings often provide objective evidence that can be used in investigations and legal proceedings. The widespread use of mobile phones has made it increasingly common for such incidents to be documented, offering a different perspective than official reports might initially provide.
The incident has sparked discussions among local residents regarding the methods used by municipal police in dealing with street vendors. Avcılar, a bustling district, frequently sees interactions between vendors and authorities, and such events can often escalate quickly.
Investigation Expected to Follow
As Altınöz recovers and prepares to file a complaint, an official investigation into the incident is expected to be launched. This will likely involve reviewing the available video footage, taking statements from all parties involved, including the municipal police officers, and examining the circumstances that led to the collision. The outcome of the investigation will be important for both the injured vendor and the municipal police force.
The incident underscores the ongoing challenges faced by street vendors in urban areas and the complexities of enforcing regulations in public spaces. It also highlights the importance of accountability and transparency in interactions between law enforcement and citizens.
Source: milliyet.com.tr
