Police block Syria protest in Suruç: Tuncer Bakırhan also participated

A crowd gathered in the Suruç district of Şanlıurfa under the leadership of the Democratic Institutions Platform to march toward the border of the Syrian city of Kobani.

The group included DEM Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan, EMEP MP Sevda Karaca, EHP Chair Hakan Öztürk, ESP Co-Chair Murat Çepni, SYKP Co-Chair Mertcan Titiz, SODAP Spokesperson Kezban Konukçu, TÖP Spokesperson Juliana Gözen, and KESK Co-Chair Ayfer Koçak, as well as numerous regional MPs, municipal co-mayors, and civil society representatives.

As the march began, the path of the group moving through the district center was blocked by police barricades. Administrators and security officials held long discussions regarding the march route and security concerns. However, while negotiations were ongoing, the situation escalated after some individuals among the protesters began throwing stones at security forces.

Police intervened against the crowd with tear gas and pressurized water. During the intervention, many protesters, including Tuncer Bakırhan, were affected by the heavy gas. With security forces surrounding the group, the planned march and the intended press statement could not be carried out.

Following the events, tension between protesters and police continued for a long time in the side streets of the district center. While the measures taken by the police to disperse the groups involved in the incidents were notable, life in the area where the protest took place struggled to return to normal.

News Source: 12punto