From Diyarbakır Bar to Minister Soylu: We are Right There Where You Murdered Tahir Elçi

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Board of Directors of Diyarbakır Bar Association has made a statement concerning the declaration of Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu who said “Diyarbakır Bar is a supporter of PKK”, urging Soylu to do what is necessary if he is really behind his allegations.

While making evaluations about the incidents that occurred in Suruç on a TV program of TRT Haber on June 18, 2018, Soylu said:

“I should mention that unbelievably cowardly allegations are being made against us which proves that Diyarbakır Bar Association and Diyarbakır Chamber of Commerce and Industry are sympathizers of PKK. Directly and honestly, I declare that it is a supporter of PKK. If PKK does not express an opinion against our all actions, incidents and acts of law it is Diyarbakır Bar which passes a remark”.

In response the bar briefly said:

“Süleyman Soylu, if you are backing your allegations, we are urging you to do whatever is necessary. As Diyarbakır Bar Association Chair and Board Members, we await your anti-terror teams and prosecutors.

"We are not afraid; rather, we are right there where you murdered Tahir Elçi..."

Perpetrators have not been brought to justice

On October 15, 2015, Tahir Elci had stated: ‘PKK is not a terrorist organisation’, on ‘Tarafsız Bölge’, a TV program moderated by Ahmet Hakan on CNN. Thereupon, while the channel was sentenced to pay a fine of 700,000 TL (232,000 euros) Tahir Elci was brought to Istanbul after being taken into custody on November 20, 2015 in his very office at the Bar.

Despite the fact that he was sent to the court for arrest by prosecutor’s office, he was released by Bakırköy 2nd High Criminal Court on condition of judicial control.  He faced imprisonment of 7.5 years on charge of “propagandizing for a terrorist organization”.

Elçi, then president of Diyarbakır Bar Association was murdered on November 28, 2015 during his press statement in front of Dört Ayaklı Minare (Quadruped Minaret) in Sur, Diyarbakır.

Up to now, the investigation has not made a progress, neither the perpetrators have been identified nor judged.  (AS/HG/TK)