Police Brutality Allegedly Targets Kurdish Deputy

Police intervened a peaceful demonstration organized by a majority of women in Urfa province's Viranşehir, claiming that protestors threw stones and shouted slogans favoring Abdullah Öcalan, PKK leader. Armored police officers casted tear gas bombs on protestors, one which allegedly targeted Gültan Kışanak, Peace and Democracy Party deputy.

"The police deliberately targeted me. A party driver saved my life. He was wounded," Kışanak said. "We have already taken the necessary permissions from Interior Ministry and alerted local officials. This is purely a provocation. They attempted to kill me."

Kışanak counted several women and children who were affected by the police intervention, saying that AKP government and PM Erdogan should be honest dealing with the ongoing peace process.

Eyewitnesses claimed that İbrahim Binici, Peace and Democracy Party deputy, yelled and swore at one of the police officers and attempted to use his gun.

While police detained 5 demonstrators for throwing stones, Sıdıka Kurt (65) was hospitalized for her broken leg following the police intervention. (EKN/BM)