76 suspects caught over the attacks on refugees’ houses, shops in Ankara

* Photo: Journalist Alican Uludağ

Click to read the article in Turkish / Kurdish

The Ankara Directorate of Security has posted a statement about the tension that escalated in the capital city of Ankara, where the houses and workplaces of Syrians were attacked last night (August 12).

In its statement about the incident in Altındağ district of the capital city, the Ankara Directorate of Security has announced that "76 people who provoked the citizens, posted untrue messages on social media and were involved in the incidents in the region have been caught."

According to the statement, "of the caught persons, 38 had criminal record on charges of plunder, wilful injury, theft and possession of drugs."

'They will be brought to account before the law'

Ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) Spokesperson Ömer Çelik has also made a statement on his social media account.

Expressing his sadness over the death of Emirhan Yalçın, after whose passing the houses and workplaces of the Syrians in the neighborhood were targeted, Çelik has said, "There are attempts to plot some provocations through this sad incident. The aim of these provocations is to harm our country and people. Crime is personal. The culprits will be brought to account before the law and they will be given the penalty they deserve."

Arguing that "the provocateurs hostile to refugees and the provocateurs under the guise of refugees aim the same thing," Ömer Çelik has said, "They are the two sides of the same coin. They want to harm our country and our people." (EMK/SD)