The European Court of Human Rights (ECtHR) has decided to introduce an interim measure in the case of Özgür Kaya, who was allegedly abducted in Ankara on Feb. 13, and direct questions to the Turkish government, the TR724 news website reported on Thursday.
The court gave priority status to the application submitted by lawyers on behalf of Kaya and three of his relatives under Rule 41 and requested that the government answer the following questions:
“What steps are being taken by the investigating authorities, in particular the relevant prosecutors, in order to find the applicants’ relative who, according to the applicants, was abducted?”
“What is the state of proceedings before the Turkish Constitutional Court? Has any decision been taken on the interim measure request made by the applicants?”
Kaya was reportedly abducted in Ankara on Feb. 13, along with Yasin Ugan, by a group of police officers who put sacks on their heads. Their families have not received any news on their whereabouts in the ensuing two months.
Even though the Turkish police initially denied having them in custody, the inquiry by their family members revealed that there was a docket in their names and an investigation overseen by prosecutor Selçuk Güntaş.