Opposition party member stabbed to death during election 'celebration' in Turkey

Turkish opposition İYİ Party member Erhan Kurt has been killed in a knife attack in northern Ordu province during the election “celebrations.” The opposition figures said government's polarizing language caused the attack. President Erdoğan has won the second round of presidential election by more than 52 percent of the vote.

Duvar English

Turkish right-wing opposition Good (İYİ) Party member Erhan Kurt on May 28 was stabbed to death in the northern province of Ordu’s Gülyalı district during the election “celebrations” of the ruling coalition.

Opposition parties have condemned the attack.

İYİ Party General Secretary and lawmaker Uğur Poyraz said in a tweet that “Tonight, our party member Erhan Kurt lost his life as a result of an attack in front of our district branch. As a nation, we condemn this treacherous attack, which is the result of the language that separates us, and all the perpetrators with hatred. We will be a determined follower of the process.”

Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Deputy Chair and Ordu lawmaker Seyit Torun said “Those who were supposedly celebrating in Ordu Gülyalı stabbed our young brother Erhan Kurt to death. Shame on this hatred. Peace be upon you, my beautiful brother. We will not give up on this until this murder is held accountable and all those responsible are punished!”

Opposition Democrat Party Deputy Chair and Ordu lawmaker Cemal Enginyurt said the attack is the result of the language of grudge and hate of the government.

“Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, you said 'we took note', you said 'we will hold you accountable', you said 'these are your better days.' Every day you spew grudges and hatred, and finally, this caused the death of a young man in Ordu Gülyalı. Emrah Kurt was martyred by AKP gangs tonight because of your dirty language. Are you peaceful, how will you sleep, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan? How will you account for this young man's children? Was it worth an election, was it worth being president?”