Turkey's ruling party ally proposes providing police with electroshock devices 'for protection'

Duvar English

Turkey's government-allied Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) has proposed giving police electroshock devices in order for them to "protect themselves," citing "increased attacks on police."

MHP deputy Halil Öztürk said that attacks on police increased in the coronavirus (COVID-19) process, adding that the move would prevent "unwanted incidents related to firearms" and "strengthen teams on the ground."

In its draft bill submitted to parliament, the MHP said, "Security forces in plenty of developed and democratic countries use such devices."

"It's clear that the use of new equipment is needed amid increasing attacks on our police," Öztürk said, although it was unclear which incidents he was referring to.

Contrary to Öztürk's remarks, police brutality have been on the rise across Turkey during the coronavirus curfews, with new footage showing police officers hitting or mistreating citizens surfacing on social media nearly everyday.

Öztürk, however, said that security forces are targeted by "fake social media users."

"Our police still hesitate using their weapons or unwanted incidents take place when they use them from time to time," he also said.

According to Öztürk, electroshock devices would act as "deterrents."

"It can be seen that plenty of unwanted incidents would be prevented if these devices are used," he said.

Saying that the ongoing studies on the detrimental effects of the electroshock devices would not impede their use by security forces, Öztürk noted that "the beneficial aspects of using them outweigh the concerns."