JINHA

ERZURUM – Attackers in the city of Erzurum attempted to burn a man to death in a coordinated fascist attack on the HDP rally in the city yesterday.

The fascist attack on the Erzurum HDP rally started at around 10:00 a.m., when a group of around 1,000 people carrying Turkish flags started marching, saying they would not let the HDP meeting take place. Attackers first threw stones at a minivan decorated in HDP flags, then set it on fire. Police observed the attack from a close distance and did not intervene, as attackers attempted to burn the driver alive. The minivan burned to the ground. Driver Aydın Taşkesen is currently in critical condition in the ICU.

As HDP supporters arrived at the site for the rally in Erzurum, the fascist group gathered at the entrance to the area and began to chant against the HDP. 4,000 police were deployed in Erzurum yesterday ahead of the rally. Many were positioned near the rally site, but did not stop the fascist group from insulting and throwing stones at HDP supporters for an extended period. They later attacked with pressurized water.

(nt/fk/cm)