CHP to Protest Attack on Its Leader in All 81 Provinces

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The Republican People's Party (CHP) has announced that its provincial branches in all 81 provinces of Turkey will today (April 22) stage demonstrations in protest of the attack  against its leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu.

"Simultaneous press statements will be held at in the 81 provinces against the treacherous attack against our chairperson," CHP's provincial branch in the capital Ankara announced.

Kılıçdaroğlu was attacked at the funeral of a soldier yesterday (April 21) who lost his life in a clash with the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) members in the southeastern province of Hakkari.

"Not an ordinary protest"

CHP Spokesperson Faik Öztrak held a press conference at the party headquarters after the attack, this is "not an ordinary protest."

Asserting that who instigated the attack is "clear," Öztrak pointed to the pro-government media for "threatening Kılıçdaroğlu with execution," and Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu for "ordering not to let CHP members in at martyr funerals."

"The owners of the poisonous language that plants seeds of hatred and animosity in this society are the shareholders of the treacherous attack today," Öztrak added.

"The traitors who try to split the country by firing bullets against our soldiers and the impudent people who try to divide the nation through the martyr funerals with the headlines are the servants of the same imperialist powers. There is a clear unity of purpose between them," Öztrak claimed.

Also criticizing the Minister of Defense Hulusi Akar because of his reaction against the incident, calling him to resign. Akar, also present at the funeral, said to the attackers, "Okay friends, you gave your message. Disperse now." (AS/TP/VK)