Turkish police intervene against protest in Cizre

ŞIRNAK - Doğan News Agency

A group of protesters had gathered to stage an unauthorized demonstration over the death of a 17-year-old. DHA photo

Police officers opened fire into air to disperse a group of protesters in the southeastern province of Şırnak’s Cizre district on Aug. 27. The group had gathered on Aug. 27 to stage an unauthorized demonstration over the death of a 17-year-old, who was shot by security forces at another unauthorized protest. 

The group shut down both İdil Street and Nusaybin Street in the town and burned tires before police forces arrived at the scene. Police intervened with tear gas and water cannons, which were met with stones and Molotov cocktails hurled by the protesters. One Molotov cocktail landed in a nearby store, causing a brief fire to break out. 

When the group refused to disperse, police forces fired into the air, after which clashes continued well into the night. 

Sinan Satıkalp, 17, died as result of his wounds on Aug. 26, after being injured during clashes on April 23. Local businesses remained closed yesterday in a show of solidarity, while Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) deputy head Gülten Kışanak visited the Satıkalp family household following news of Sinan’s death. 

Kışanak called on the state to identify and punish those responsible for the incident. 

“The fact that an investigation is not being opened into this and that no one is being held accountable for it, triggers state violence. The government is responsible for this. As long as the Interior Ministry doesn’t show a willingness against this, police brutality will continue on these lands with the backing of state power,” she said.