Martyred Prosecutor Mehmet Selim Kiraz's father Hakkı Kiraz: 'We love our son, but we love our state even more than our son'

Berkin Elvan investigation prosecutor Mehmet Selim Kiraz was taken hostage by DHKP/C terrorists in his office at the courthouse on March 31, 2015, and was murdered hours later.

Hakkı Kiraz, the father of the martyred prosecutor Mehmet Selim Kiraz, evaluated the PKK terrorist organization's decision to dissolve. Stating that he supports the process, Hakkı Kiraz said, "Terror has been a scourge on Turkey for 50 years. Terror has neither religion nor faith. It has no color and no gender. It is a scourge on this state. We have given thousands of our people as martyrs. One must also understand the pain of martyrs' families; their hearts are different. But if peace is coming to the country, if this nation is being saved from this scourge of terror, and if they have been reformed, repented, and taken refuge in the state, then God loves those who forgive. Our nation is a noble nation, and our state is a supreme state."

Mentioning the roles of AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli in the new resolution process, Hakkı Kiraz said, "We put our personal grievances under our feet and risk everything for the survival of the nation and the state. I hope they also come and take refuge in this state; I hope it becomes even better. There are so many terrorist organizations. I hope this comes to an end and this nation is saved from this scourge of terror. May our state reach prosperity. I think being a member of this nation is a privilege in the world. Being Turkish is a privilege. Being a subject of the Republic of Turkey is a privilege. Especially living in this homeland, on these lands, is a privilege."

"I ALWAYS ADVISED MY SON TO BE REMEMBERED FOR YOUR JUSTICE"

The grieving father, who says he feels the longing for his son in his heart every day, said, "Believe me, our hearts are scorched every day. You raise a child. You don't eat, you feed them. You don't drink, you give them to drink. You don't wear, you clothe them. You educate them and bring them to a position. You, in a way, donate them to the state. When my child became a prosecutor, I always advised him: 'My son, may your name not be remembered where you go, may your justice be remembered.' For no reason, what was my son doing? He was looking at the Berkin Elvan case. They themselves knew that the case was at the stage of completion. But just when he was about to finish it, they came and entered the courthouse, and those scenes happened. In the end, the outcome resulted in martyrdom. Despite this, for the sake of the state's survival, we did not use a single wrong word that day, and we do not use one today. Because the Almighty God loves those who forgive."

Stating that as a father his heart burns, but he will support every decision taken because the country will reach relief and be saved from the scourge of terror, Kiraz said, "Our state is important to us. Yes, we love our son. We love him very much, and we still love him. But let everyone know very well that we love our nation and our state more than our son. For the survival of this nation, for its unity and solidarity, not just one life, but a thousand lives of ours be sacrificed. Everyone is our child, as long as this scourge of terror ends. May this nation reach relief, may this nation reach peace. May our state no longer struggle with these enemies. This state of ours is enough for this population and more. May the Lord make it auspicious if they are truly coming, if it is truly happening. Mr. Devlet Bahçeli and our President have wholeheartedly taken this matter into their hands. We bow our heads to any decision they make."