Erdoğan ‘condemns’ the attack on HDP two days later

* Photo: Anadolu Agency (AA)

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After Onur Gencer attacked the İzmir Provincial Building of the Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) and killed Deniz Poyraz on June 17, President and ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyp Erdoğan made the first mention of the attack on June 19.

Addressing the AKP Antalya Provincial Organization Meeting, Erdoğan defined the attack that claimed the life of HDP İzmir Organization worker Deniz Poyraz as "provocative" and said, "We condemn it most vehemently."

Noting that "they will condemn the similar attacks as well," Erdoğan indicated that "he believed all relations behind and before the assailant will be revealed and he will receive the heaviest sentence possible."

Minister Soylu also made a statement

Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu also made a statement a few hours before Erdoğan's speech in Antalya.

Without directly mentioning the attack, Soylu referred to the remarks of opposition İYİ Party Chair Meral Akşener, who said after the attack, "Those who want to fish in troubled waters must come to their senses."

Minister Soylu briefly said, "There might be those who want to fish in troubled waters. This sentence is uttered a lot. The surroundings of Turkey might be troubled, but Turkey is not troubled." (RT/DŞ/SD)