Racist attacks on pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) ahead of the parliamentary and presidential elections on June 24 in Turkey have continued on Sunday. On the İstanbul island of Büyükada, a HDP election stand was attacked by a racist mob and a HDP sympathizer was injured with a knife.
According to a report by pro-Kurdish Fırat news agency (ANF), a HDP sympathizer was attacked with a knife and suffered four puncture wounds. The incoming police then handcuffed the same injured man and sent him to the police station.
Another attack in İstanbul province took place in the Gazi district. There, ten HDP members were detained by police while posting election campaign posters. The posters were also confiscated by the police.
An attack was also carried out against the election campaign of the HDP in the neighborhood of Değirmendere in Gölcük district in Kocaeli province on Friday. Two people, including the Kocaeli Provincial co-chair of the HDP, Şahabettin Işık, were injured in the attack. After the attack, some HDP executives went to the Değirmendere Police Department to follow the legal procedure.
Two hundred eight HDP members have been detained, 16 HDP members have been jailed and various party offices have been attacked 57 times in the last 45 days, according to a report released early June.
According to the report the Justice and Development Party (AKP) government led by President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has increased pressure and attacks on the party due to its key role in the elections.
The report also mentioned the district and provincial chairs and dozens of party members being detained during the campaign and says that young people were taken into custody for chanting slogans. HDP convoys, campaign office openings and rallies have all been carried out under police blockades, said the report.
