ISTANBUL- Stating that the police who slapped him had threatened him before, HDP Provincial Organisation Co-Chair Ferhat Encü said: "The attack was planned. We will ask for an account of this slap."

 

During the march held in Istanbul's Kadıköy district yesterday for the isolation against PKK Leader Abdullah Öcalan and the release of the ill and prisoners who are held despite serving their sentence, the police first insulted Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) Istanbul Provincial Organisation Co-chair Ferhat Encü. The police then slapped Encü, who reacted to the insult. Attacking the mass, the police detained 69 people, including Encü, and took them to the Istanbul Security Directorate on Vatan Street.

 

While Encü was in custody, the Istanbul Governor's Office tried to acquit the aggressor, claiming that despite the images, Encü cursed and slapped the police. Encü and the 69 names accompanying him were released late at night.

 

Reminding that his relatives had been protesting for 11 months to draw attention to the situation of the ill and the prisoners whose executions are prevented due to isolation, Ferhat Encü said. "These actions made a call for Turkey to abide by its own laws. The police constantly attacked the actions led by mothers. They want to hold a press release and march in this vein and that this is a constitutional right, but said that an attack was carried out. The police attacked all the actions and activities of the HDP, but the policy of not allowing the HDP to take a step is being followed."

 

'ATTACK IS PLANNED'

 

Sharing that no reason was given for the blocking of the march they held yesterday, Encü said: "The police attacked before the protest and march started. We entered the area with the mothers and the attack started just as the mothers started to express their demands. At this time, I also stated that this was not legal. I wanted the ban to be shown. I invited him to negotiate. However, the young people began to be dragged on the ground, they buckled. They were kicked on the ground. While I was objecting to this situation, a police chief, who pioneered violence in every action, cursed me. Then I warned him not to swear. He slapped me right in front of Security Branch Chief Hanifi Zengin. He took this courage from Zengin's instructions. So I think it was definitely a planned thing.”

 

'SLAP HAS BEEN ATTACKED TO THE ALL PEOPLE'

 

Stating that the slap was thrown at everyone who defended life in his person, Encü said: “This policy, which defends these values, is a slap to everyone who defends peace, democracy and freedom, especially the Kurdish people. This slap in the field of democratic politics, by raising our own struggle, is a slap to everyone, to all people who defend this democracy, freedom and a humane life. We will ask the account of this slap at the ballot box and in every field.”