Europe Rights Court Fines Ankara over Torture Case

The European Court of Human Rights on Tuesday sentenced Turkey over a case of police torture dating back to 1999, imposing a fine of 20,000 euros ($27,000).

Mesut Deniz, a 38-year-old Turk currently serving a prison sentence, said he was given electric shocks, hanged by his arms, had his genitals twisted and subjected to other forms of torture after his arrest.

Medical reports at the time recorded a large number of injuries but a police officer charged over the torture claims was acquitted by a Turkish court in 2007.

The ECHR found that Turkey had violated the European Convention on Human Rights and had denied Deniz the right to appeal and a chance to claim compensation.