CHP claims Malatya incidents intentional

ANKARA

A recent incident in Sürgü in the eastern province of Malatya, which led to increased tension between Alevis and Sunnis in the area, was “organized and intentional,” according to the report of a Republican People’s Party (CHP) delegation.

On July 28, stones were thrown at the home of the Evli family and their stables were burned down by an angry mob chanting slogans such as “death to Kurds, death to Alevis.” The mob was allegedly spurred into action after the family asked a Ramadan drummer, Mustafa Efşi, to not wake them for sahur, the traditional Ramadan meal held before sunrise. The local gendarmerie dispersed the mob with some difficulty. After the incident, a delegation, including CHP Malatya Deputy Veli Ağababa and CHP Tunceli Deputy Hüseyin Aygün, went to Sürgü to investigate the details of the incident. Some important facts were included in their report, which was presented to CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. “The incident in Sürgü constitutes a hate crime and an attempt against life. The argument between the drummer Mustafa Efşi and the Evli family very quickly turned into a social action. At the beginning of the incident, the authorities did not take it seriously. Things that happened as the incident grew show that it was an organized and intentional action,” the report read.

As part of the inquiry conducted into the incidents, 24 people were detained by order of the Doğanşehir Public Prosecutor’s Office. After their testimonies were taken, Efşi was detained, while the other 23 were released. Efşi, who allegedly beat his drum in front of the Evli family’s house, was sent to the Doğanşehir Courthouse and placed under arrest after his testimony was taken, according to a statement issued by the gendarmerie.