Attempted attack on HDP, Green Left office in Adana

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An individual yesterday attempted an attack on the shared office of the Kurdish-focused Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and the Green Left Party in Adana, southern Turkey.

The assailant left three bottles of methylated spirits and a notebook at the entrance of the building before fleeing the scene. She was apprehended later in the day. The governorate stated that they were evaluating whether the woman identified by the initials A.C. was "mentally stable."

Around 10.00 a.m., the 26-year-old woman placed plastic bottles in front of the door, prompting a report to the police. Upon inspection by the police teams, it was determined that the liquid inside the bottles was flammable and explosive.

While the police continued their investigation at the scene, party members began searching for the woman. She was found at a nearby bus stop on a street. The woman addressed the party members, saying, "Who are you? The police sent me. Who sent you?"

The governorate, asserting that the individual's "mental stability is compromised," stated, "In her initial interrogation, she confirmed that she had left the mentioned materials herself, but her answers regarding the motive were inconsistent. Her behavior and responses indicated that her mental stability was compromised. The comprehensive judicial investigation into the incident is ongoing."

Protest

Party members gathered on the street where the party office is located today to protest the attack. Tülay Hatimoğulları, a Green Left MP representing Adana, noted that the suspect was apprehended on the same street where the HDP Seyhan district office, where an event was scheduled to take place in the evening, is situated.

Hatimoğulları mentioned that two individuals who were present at the scene recognized the assailant, adding that the coordinated nature of the attack attempt, involving three individuals, raised suspicions of organized involvement.

Regarding the investigation, Hatimoğulları stated that they had not been provided with any information and said, "We will continue to pursue this until the dark forces behind this, including the two women under detention and those who orchestrated it, are exposed."

Instances of vandalism affect HDP and Green Left offices frequently, with these attacks typically unfolding during the late, unattended hours. Yet, a 2021 event highlighted the severity of the situation, when an armed intruder stormed HDP's İzmir office, killing a party worker, Deniz Poyraz.

Kurdish politicians note that such attacks take place in an environment where the ruling coalition consistently levels accusations of "backing terrorism" against the party and that the prevailing culture of impunity actually encourages such incidents. (RT/VK)