ERBIL, Kurdistan Region – Turkish authorities risk inciting violence after accusing HDP of being involved in the recent murder of a grocer who was reportedly working for the ruling AKP, an international rights monitor warned on Thursday.
Mevlut Bengi’s body was found on Monday, tied to an electricity pole. He had been shot in the head. Media reported that a note found next to his body said Bengi had been killed “because he has been a state agent since 2015.”
Bengi had reportedly registered to represent AKP as a voting centre representative for the June 24 elections.
An investigation is ongoing and no group has claimed responsibility, but the PKK has been widely blamed in the media.
HDP co-chair Pervin Buldan told reporters on Wednesday that Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu had accused their party of being behind the murder. She said the minister told her they no longer “have the right” to live in Turkey.
Soylu confirmed that he had spoken with Buldan and implied his comments to her had been harsher than she recounted.
“Yes, I called Buldan. She said less than what I said,” Soylu said on Thursday, Hurriyet Daily News.
“No one can support the PKK on this soil,” he added.
Amnesty International expressed concern about Soylu’s statements to Buldan.
“Such unsubstantiated allegations risk inciting violence against the supporters and members of HDP, third largest political party in Turkey’s parliament,” Amnesty stated.
HDP has filed a criminal complaint against Soylu who is also under fire for alleging CHP is similarly tied to the PKK.
Soylu instructed provincial governors to bar CHP officials from attending funerals of Turkish soldiers, alleging the party worked with HDP during the election.
“If they were together in the polls, they will be together at funerals,” he said.
CHP has called on Soylu to resign.
“A minister who is responsible for domestic security has become a threat to domestic security,” CHP spokesperson Bulent Tezcan told reporters.
CHP came second in the parliamentary elections, retaining its position as the largest opposition party. The party’s presidential candidate Muharram Ince had visited HDP’s candidate Selahattin Demirtas in prison and called for his release.
Mevlut Bengi’s body was found on Monday, tied to an electricity pole. He had been shot in the head. Media reported that a note found next to his body said Bengi had been killed “because he has been a state agent since 2015.”
Bengi had reportedly registered to represent AKP as a voting centre representative for the June 24 elections.
An investigation is ongoing and no group has claimed responsibility, but the PKK has been widely blamed in the media.
HDP co-chair Pervin Buldan told reporters on Wednesday that Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu had accused their party of being behind the murder. She said the minister told her they no longer “have the right” to live in Turkey.
Soylu confirmed that he had spoken with Buldan and implied his comments to her had been harsher than she recounted.
“Yes, I called Buldan. She said less than what I said,” Soylu said on Thursday, Hurriyet Daily News.
“No one can support the PKK on this soil,” he added.
Amnesty International expressed concern about Soylu’s statements to Buldan.
“Such unsubstantiated allegations risk inciting violence against the supporters and members of HDP, third largest political party in Turkey’s parliament,” Amnesty stated.
HDP has filed a criminal complaint against Soylu who is also under fire for alleging CHP is similarly tied to the PKK.
Soylu instructed provincial governors to bar CHP officials from attending funerals of Turkish soldiers, alleging the party worked with HDP during the election.
“If they were together in the polls, they will be together at funerals,” he said.
CHP has called on Soylu to resign.
“A minister who is responsible for domestic security has become a threat to domestic security,” CHP spokesperson Bulent Tezcan told reporters.
CHP came second in the parliamentary elections, retaining its position as the largest opposition party. The party’s presidential candidate Muharram Ince had visited HDP’s candidate Selahattin Demirtas in prison and called for his release.
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