Video/ Former police officer in Turkey takes his own life during protest: “Not for the money, but for my dignity

A 60-year-old former police officer took his own life during a pensioners’ rally in Ankara, where participants were calling for higher pensions.

Ali Sekeroglu used a firearm outside the Constitutional Court while wrapped in the Turkish flag and holding a sign that read: “Not for the money, but for my dignity”.

He had said that his income was not enough to cover his daily expenses, and had also criticized those responsible for the situation he was in.

Before the protest, Sekeroglu had called on citizens on social media to join the rally.

“If you are not there, one person will be missing. Don’t say, ‘What difference will it make if I don’t go?’ Strength lies in unity”.

The former police officer also urged the authorities and the country’s leaders to pay attention to pensioners’ problems. Turkish media reported that he was a father of two and had recently become a grandfather. Because of financial difficulties, he had been unable to buy his grandson the gold gift that is a common custom in Turkey.

On Friday, pensioners protested in several cities across Turkey, calling for higher monthly payments. They argued that current pensions were not enough to meet their basic needs.

In July, the minimum pension in Turkey was 23,552 Turkish lira per month, equivalent to around 420 euros.

Meanwhile, the Police Association announced that four suicides among current and former police personnel had been recorded over the past week. The cases involved two serving officers and two former officers.

According to reports, one of these incidents took place in Yalova, where a member of the special forces who had been in the police force for only two months took his own life. Another case was reported in Manisa, where a former police officer ended his life at his home.