One killed in attack on HDP's provincial office in Turkey
İZMİR
A woman was killed when a gunman stormed an office of the opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) and opened fire yesterday in the western province of İzmir.
The assailant, a former health worker, entered the building where the HDP office is located at around 11 a.m. and shot and killed the party employee, the İzmir Governor’s Office said in a statement.
The suspect was detained following the attack and a thorough investigation into the incident has been launched, it added.
The HDP identified the victim as Deniz Poyraz.
The assailant smashed the windows after entering the party office, which is located on the second floor of an office building in İzmir’s Çankaya neighborhood, and the HDP said in a tweet that he tried to set the party’s office on fire.
Police units and medics were dispatched to the scene and sealed off the street after shots were fired.
The assailant was taken to the police center for questioning while HDP supporters, including the victim’s mother, gathered in front of the building where the attack took place.
Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the leader of the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP), condemned the attack on the HDP office, extending his condolences to the victim’s family.
“We have seen such scenarios put in circulation before, but this time our people will not be deceived,” Kılıçdaroğlu said.
Hamza Dağ, deputy chair of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), also condemned the attack.
“We have always stood against any attempt to ruin peace and security in the country and will continue to do so,” Dağ said on Twitter.
