Police Escorts Kurdish Politicians Out From Mobs

Last night, police intervened angry mobs that winded up a delegation of Kurdish deputies at a local guesthouse for several hours, casting gas bombs and escorting Kurdish politicians with armed vehicles to Samsun province.

Sinop Governor's Office said at least 800 people were involved in last night's Kurdish deputy wind up case with 14 angry protestors prosecuted by local authorities. The police intervention left at least 16 anti-Kurdish protestors wounded.

Sırrı Süreyya Önder, a delegation deputy, sent a tweet message saying that flash mobs casted flammable material into the building they were trapped in. He also shared pictures through twitter.

"Things are as you see them. I am not entitled to speak here," a senior police officer said, addressing bianet's inquiry on the flammable material allegations.

Peace and Democracy Party deputy Ertuğrul Kürkçü said they have been trapped in the building since 11:30 in the morning.

"The police could have prevented all this from happening. Angry mobs were casting stones at us while we were holding a press conference. Police forces were just watching," Kürkçü told bianet.

He also claimed that angry protestors were not residents of Sinop province and they were brought by free shuttles from surrounding cities.

Turkish government spokesperson Hüseyin Çelik sent a tweet message, condemning the incident.

"It was a provocation," Çelik said. "Every political party must have the right to campaign in any city in Turkey."

Police escorted Kurdish politicians to Samsun where they will resume their campaign to promote the peace process between PKK and Turkey. (EKN/BM)

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