MoI Backs Police Intervention That Left a Kurdish Protester Dead

Minister of Interior Osman Güneş says the police intervention that killed 18 year-old İbrahim Oruç and heavily injured two others in Bismil, Diyarbakır was "proportionate".

During  yesterday's protests that followed a ban on 12 independent candidates to participate in coming elections, police opened fire on the crowd,  according to local journalists. Oruç's dead body was kicked by police officers,  Fırat News Agency (ANF) reported. Gültekin Kuşlu was shot on the chest and Akdülkerim Gümüş on the leg. Both were taken to Dicle University Hospital.

Police heavily used tear gas and 90 more protesters were hospitalized. Among them were three children in Nusaybin. One of them was shot with a plastic bullet and rests in intensive care.

Protests took off after the Supreme Board of Elections (YSK) turned down 12 independent candidates. Seven of those were backed by a coalition of the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) and a number of socialist parties and groups. Despite a recent legislative reform and previous case files contradicting its arguments, the YSK contended that those candidates have been convicted of "terror crimes", therefore stripped of their rights to stand as MPs.

BDP backed candidates submitted court orders to the Board, saying there are no obstacles before their candidacy.

Faced with strong reaction from all levels of society -including the ruling AKP but excluding the nationalist MHP-, the Board is expected to make a final ruling today (Thursday).

MoI: Practice as usual

Former BDP co-chair Selahattin Demirtas and Gültan Kışanak, Diyarbakır mayor Osman Baydemir, BDP MPs Emine Ayna and Hamit Geylani went to Bismil to inspect the situation. The delegation also became target of police forces' tear gas.

MoI Güneş made a statement in the evening and supported the police forces.

"The events in Bismil required an intervention from our police forces" he said. "The intervention was proportionate. The situation calmed down now. Such things can happen in such circumstances. We're now inspecting; how did they get wounded, how did it happened? If needed, we can send inspectors."

On another account, the Bismil public prosecutor's office announced a wide-ranging inquiry into the events. The use of real ammunition was confirmed by the prosecutor's office. (AS/EÖ/EÜ)