Turkish Security Directorate to purchase gas solutions, smoke bombs

Turkey’s Directorate General of Security, the police force responsible for law enforcement, is set to hold tenders to acquire 40 tonnes of gas solutions to be used in gas capsules and armoured water cannons, Birgün news site reported on Saturday.

The directorate will hold four separate tender auctions between March 10-17, Birgün said, with 3,000 units of pepper spray, 20,000 smoke bombs and 5000 riots shields also being on the directorate’s shopping list.

The report follows an announcement by the Turkish Gendarmerie on the pending purchase of 17,000 metal handcuff.

A governmental decree published last month in the Official Gazette amended some articles of the Regulation of Moveable Properties of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), the Directorate General of Security and the National Intelligence Agency (MİT). The decree said arms and vehicles belonging to the TSK can be handed over to the police or the intelligence services by approval of the Defence Ministry during public events deemed as “threatening public order”.

Human rights groups often accuse Turkish police of using disproportionate force to break up demonstrations and authorities in the country frequently impose bans on public demonstrations or gatherings, citing security concerns.

Earlier this month, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan announced an 11-point human rights action plan aimed at fortifying freedoms and legal protections after years of democratic backsliding under his government.

Erdoğan vowed to assure freedom of expression, assembly and peaceful protest as part of the action plan.