Suavi, who faced an attempted attack by an MHP group at his concert, speaks out: 'They need rehabilitation'

Singer Suavi, who was effectively targeted by the MHP Beykoz district organization before his concert in Beykoz and protested by an MHP group during the event, has made a statement regarding the incident.

Don't leave your news choices to an algorithm - decide for yourself what you read. Add 12punto to your preferred sources!

Suavi, who faced an attempted attack by an MHP group at his concert, speaks out: 'They need rehabilitation'

Suavi, who faced an attempted attack by a group while performing in Beykoz, stated, "This is less about a Suavi issue and more indicative of a period where all dissident artists are being targeted." Suavi added, "This society needs to be completely rehabilitated. This community, which has been stripped of its identity and had its 'GMOs' corrupted, must be sociologically rehabilitated."

Reactions continue following the attempted attack on artist Suavi, who took the stage during the 'August 19 World Beykoz Residents Day' celebrations held in Istanbul's Beykoz district.

Suavi, who performed at the event organized by the Beykoz Municipality, was targeted by a group of protesters.

The reactionary group that raided the concert and chanted slogans such as "We don't want terrorists in Beykoz" was removed from the area shortly after. Prior to the concert, the MHP Beykoz District Presidency had issued a statement targeting the artist Suavi.

"I NEITHER HEARD THESE WORDS NOR SAW THE TEAM FACE-TO-FACE"

Speaking to BirGün, Suavi said, "Before I arrived, the MHP District President of the relevant district made a statement, and most likely under his instruction, a group came to my stage and said some things to me. However, I neither heard these words nor saw this team face-to-face. I am not belittling this situation, but I am not prioritizing it or placing it at the center. I am uneasy and disturbed because I perceive this as a planned attack on Turkey's dissident artists in general. This is not a personal matter."

"A GROUP TRIED TO TERRORIZE THE ENVIRONMENT"

Stating that the concert was not interrupted and that he continued his performance at a high tempo, Suavi said, "A group tried to terrorize the environment, but this is not acceptable. Even if we assume they were exercising their right to protest me, I still completed my program with the people there. I performed in an environment where I was given a standing ovation and everyone, including the mayor, had a wonderful night. However, a different wind is blowing in the country, and this is less about a Suavi issue and more indicative of a period where all dissident artists are being targeted."

"AS A COUNTRY, WE COULD EXPERIENCE MUCH MORE UNPLEASANT THINGS"

Expressing that such pressures on dissident artists strain society and could lead to wider problems, Suavi said, "Similar things were done to Genco Erkal, who passed away just yesterday. Melek Mosso was targeted for wearing a short skirt. Someone was attacked for hosting a cocktail party at an art exhibition. When things are reduced to bigotry, it seems we are heading into a period where we, as dissident artists, are truly being targeted. If we do not perceive and control this situation from the right perspective, we could experience much more unpleasant things as a country in the future."

"WE ARE EVALUATING OUR RIGHT TO FILE A LAWSUIT"

Regarding the 'terrorist' labeling, Suavi noted, "Under normal circumstances, this is a statement that belongs in court. I am evaluating our right to file a lawsuit with my lawyer friends. Because it is not that easy to label a person a terrorist and accuse them of treason. In this country, there are 50 thousand examples of this, from Fakir Baykurt to Yaşar Kemal, from Nâzım Hikmet to Yılmaz Güney, from Ahmet Kaya to Suavi."

"I SAW TREMENDOUS HOSPITALITY"

Turning the conversation to the recent local elections in Beykoz, Suavi said, "Beykoz, which they had managed for 20 years, has now passed into the hands of the CHP. Alaaddin Bey won the elections by a narrow margin. This loss of a 20-year power has driven some people crazy and made them aggressive. It is clear that this situation, like the loss of Istanbul, has unsettled many structures. This is also a message to the municipality and the new administration. However, the municipality chose to bring Suavi to the stage during its term. Shame on those who do not respect this choice. I sang my songs and saw tremendous hospitality. However, I never accept this environment of violence, this environment that is being attempted to be terrorized. Especially if the words said to me are true, I return them to their original owners. If necessary, I can prove with documents who the real terrorist is."

Referring to the words of AKP President Erdoğan years ago, "You are either on our side or you will be eliminated," Suavi said, "If those who manage the country at the highest level make similar statements, naturally, 20 years later, some people will act by relying on these and similar powers. Either you will pledge allegiance—and dozens of artists who were known as dissidents until yesterday have moved to that front and are now taking part in those structures. This is a matter of choice, but what material power could make me do this? None of them. Therefore, we will complete our lives in this world standing tall, just as I stand now."

"THEY NEED TO BE COMPLETELY REHABILITATED"

Suavi concluded his words by drawing attention to the necessity of social rehabilitation:

"This society needs to be completely rehabilitated. This community, which has been stripped of its identity and had its 'GMOs' corrupted, must be sociologically rehabilitated. Every person who has suffered economic destruction also suffers personality destruction. The country's economic trajectory may have driven these people, who are perhaps unemployed and cannot bring bread to their homes, crazy. They are looking for their anger elsewhere; they do not know where the right address is. We will try to help them by showing them the right address."

News Source: 12punto