Minister Pointed CSOs as Targets; CSOs Filed Criminal Complaint

Three people were killed in Suruç, Şanlıurfa on June 14, after violence broke out in Justice and Development Party’s (AKP) campaign event.

İbrahim Yıldız, deputy of AKP, was visiting small businesses in Suruç when violence broke between Şenyaşar Family and Yıldız’s accompanists. 1 person from Yıldız family and 3 people from Senyasar family were killed. CSOs in Diyarbakır called for common sense and decided to visit Suruç with CSOs in Urfa. Their press release had the signatures of Bar of Diyarbakır, Diyarbakır Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Initiative for Haq, Human Rights Association, MUSIAD (Association of Muslim Businessmen) Diyarbakır Businesswomen Association and etc.

However, security forces informed CSO representatives that they would not let them go to Suruç.

After the representatives were prevented from visiting Suruç, Süleyman Soylu -Minister of Internal Affairs- pointed the mentioned CSOs in a TV program. Alleging that their call for common sense was not innocent, Soylu pointed CSOs by saying they contribute to illegal organizations.

CSOs filed criminal complaint about the Minister upon his words.