HDP’s Kürkçü defends Gezi protesters against claims of attack on headscarved woman

ANKARA – Anadolu Agency

HDP co-chair Ertuğrul Kürkçü speaks at Parliament. AA photo

The People’s Democracy Party (HDP) co-chair Ertuğrul Kürkçü said they would not allow attacks on the Gezi protesters through claims that a woman was beaten by protesters for wearing a headscarf, addressing the Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) group meeting Feb. 18. The HDP does not have a group in Parliament, but its co-chair gave a group meeting speech by addressing the BDP.

“We, of course, support this woman on her struggle for her claims, but we will not allow the statements, which are only claims at the moment, to be used as a means to attack the Gezi resistance,” said Kürkçü. 
He also criticized the slowness in taking steps for the peace process saying, “The peace train has stopped.”

The footage, revealed by private broadcaster Kanal D on Feb. 13 showed no sign of a physical attack on the woman on June 1, 2013, near Istanbul’s Kabataş docks.

Z.D. claimed she was subjected to physical violence by a group of 80 to 100 protesters as she was waiting for her husband.