Election brawl in Diyarbakır: Ballot box official killed

A fight broke out between two groups in the rural Ağaçlıdere neighborhood of Diyarbakır's central Sur district due to a neighborhood headman (muhtar) election. It was learned that the person killed was DEM Party ballot box official Emin Çelik.

While voting was ongoing in the neighborhood, an argument between two groups regarding the headman election turned into a fight involving stones, sticks, and firearms.

Upon notification, gendarmerie and 112 Emergency Health teams were dispatched to the scene.

The injured were taken to hospitals in the city.

During the fight, 2 of the ambulances dispatched to the region were damaged due to stones thrown.

The Diyarbakır Governor's Office issued a written statement regarding the incident via its X account. The Governor's Office's statement is as follows:

"PRESS RELEASE

As a result of an armed fight that occurred between two groups in the Aşağıdere neighborhood of our central Sur district regarding the neighborhood headman election process, 12 people were injured and the injured have been taken under treatment in hospitals in Diyarbakır.

One of the injured individuals, E.Ç., lost his life at the hospital to which he was taken.

Extensive security measures have been taken in the neighborhood, and

(70) personnel from the Kayapınar District Gendarmerie Command, (3) teams (37 personnel) from the Gendarmerie Special Operations (JÖH) Battalion Command, including (1) by helicopter, and (4) Gendarmerie Commando teams (58 personnel) from the Bingöl Gendarmerie Commando Battalion Command, assigned as reinforcements to Diyarbakır, have been sent to intervene in the incident area.

In this process, where our security forces are making a great effort to ensure that the local government elections in our province are carried out in an environment of peace, it is of great importance that all parties operating in the field, especially the headman candidates, act with sensitivity.

DIYARBAKIR GOVERNOR'S OFFICE"

PRESS RELEASE

As a result of an armed fight that occurred between two groups in the Aşağıdere neighborhood of our central Sur district regarding the neighborhood headman election process, 12 people were injured and the injured have been taken under treatment in hospitals in Diyarbakır.

One of the injured individuals…

— T.C. Diyarbakır Valiliği (@dbakirvalilik) March 31, 2024

News Source: 12punto