Tension rises as Turkey votes: dead and wounded at government deputy’s rally
The incident occurred in Suruc, a town near the border with Syria with a Kurdish majority. The government accuses the Kurdish HDP party and the PKK militias. Local media instead report the bodyguards of the politician opened fire because of "hostile" reception. At least ten people are arrested.
Istanbul (AsiaNews / Agencies) - At least four people died and eight were injured in a serious incident of violence that has marked the electoral campaign in Turkey, less than 10 days ahead of the general elections scheduled for June 24th.
The incident occurred in the south of the country and is destined to heighten simmering tension in a nation that has been the scene of a harsh government repression in the last two years following the failed coup in July 2016.
President Recep Tayyip Erdogan is looking for a second term. Last year the Turkish leader promoted a referendum on presidentialism that won with a narrow margin amid accusations of fraud, in which he expanded his powers.
The violence occurred yesterday in the Kurdish majority town of Suruc, near the border with Syria, and involved the staff of the deputy of the ruling party Akp Ibrahim Halil Yildiz, in the area for an election rally. Eyewitnesses speak of gunshots fired against people; however, there are conflicting opinions on the matter.
Newspapers and pro-government press report that an unidentified group attacked Yildiz and his supporters, with sticks and knives. State agencies Anadolu and Dogan speak instead of gunshots.
For media close to the president, supporters of the Kurdish party Hdp are behind the attack. The parliamentarian's brother is rumoured to be behind the attack.
The version provided by some local information organs, close to the Kurds, is different. The deputy’s bodyguards opened fire in a city market after the politician received a "hostile" reception from the shopkeepers of the area.
Finally, the story of the Saliurfa governor’s office – the province in which Suruç lies - refers to a "brawl" that flared up "between two different groups" during the deputy’s visit to some factories. And that three people were killed and nine injured in an "accident" that occurred shortly after his departure. One of the injured people would have died shortly after admission.
Security sources speak of at least ten arrests among the population. The comment of the Kurdish party co-leader Pervin Buldan, condemning the killings, is very harsh and adds: "We see that someone is trying to stir people up with provocations" to get into a fight.
President Erdogan immediately Kurdish party members charged with the violence, helped by PKK militias (the Kurdish Workers Party), outlawed in Turkey and considered "terrorists". In July 2015 an attack claimed by the Islamic State (IS, former Isis) in Suruc caused 34 deaths. Ankara had taken advantage of it to launch a "war on terrorism" which targeted not only ISIS but also members of the PKK.
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