‘Three seasons have changed, justice is not served for Şenyaşar family’

* Photo: Mezopotamya Agency (MA)

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Emine Şenyaşar lost her spouse and two sons in an attack launched by the security guards and relatives of İbrahim Yıldız from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) in Urfa. She and her son Ferit Şenyaşar, who survived the attack, have been demanding justice for 182 days.

Meeting in front of the Urfa Courthouse, the mother and son have started keeping a watch called "Justice corner of Şenyaşar family". They have once again carried banners that read, "We only want justice."

As reported by Mezopotamya Agency (MA), Ferit Şenyaşar has told the agency, "As the Justice Minister once called, we are waiting at the 'door of justice' for 182 days. Here, lawyers and citizens walk past us. Everyone bears witness to the injustice. We do not want the people to look at us pitifully any longer. We want to return to our normal lives like everyone else."

Referring to Abdulhamit Gül's speech in the opening of the new judicial year on September 1, Ferit Şenyaşar has said, "At the opening ceremony of the judicial year, the Justice Minister made a speech and talked about justice. Ziya Pasha once said, 'Deeds are one's mirror, words are not to be taken heed of.' Justice cannot be served by releasing messages. The whole world is watching this injustice. There is a mother whose heart is hurting. She wants one thing: She wants justice to be served. If you cannot serve justice, resign from office and don't release messages about justice."

Further in his statement, Şenyaşar has said, "Three seasons have changed. When we started it, we did not foresee that it would take this long. There is a massacre at hand. A massacre was committed in a public hospital, but no one can open the file as an MP and his relatives are involved. I am addressing the Public Prosecutor: How can you look your children in the face while making a mother go through this atrocity? Let justice be done as soon as possible; if you cannot do it, resign from office as soon as possible."

'Everyone sees the atrocity'

The family have also addressed the Ministry of Justice and Urfa Chief Public Prosecutor Önder Yeniçeri on their social media account: "This mother has been waiting at the door of the courthouse for 182 days. Everyone sees this atrocity. Why does no one say stop to this atrocity? The public prosecutors; if the superiors do not let you judge with mercy and justice, resign."

What happened?

During the election campaign of ruling AKP Urfa MP İbrahim Halil Yıldız in Suruç, Urfa on June 14, 2018, an attack turned into an armed conflict, which claimed the lives of Yıldız's brother Mehmet Şah Yıldız, shop owner Hacı Esvet Şenyaşar and his sons Adil and Celal Şenyaşar.

Having lost his father and two brothers and been wounded himself in the incident, Fadıl Şenyaşar was discharged from hospital and detained on June 17. He was then arrested and sent to prison.

Demanding justice for two sons, husband and her arrested son, Emine Şenyaşar and her son Ferit Şenyaşar, who survived the attack, have been keeping a "justice watch" in front of the courthouse. (EMK/SD)