Gülen offers condolences for slain İstanbul resident shot at protest
Date posted: May 24, 2014
ISTANBUL
Turkish Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has offered condolences for Uğur Kurt, a 34-year-old who was waiting to attend a funeral outside a cemevi, an Alevi house of worship, was hit by a stray bullet allegedly from a police weapon and died in hospital on Thursday night.
Gülen said the sad event came at a time when Turkey needed social peace and stability, reminding the dangerous tension in the country.Two people died from injuries sustained during violent protests over a 15-year-old victim of police violence in Okmeydanı during events that began on Thursday and continued on Friday.
Riot police were in Okmeydanı on Friday to disperse groups that had set up barricades from which they threw stones. Police used tear gas and water cannon and brought down posters reading “murderer police” after the protesters dispersed. The police also took down posters put up by illegal groups calling on residents of the area to bring firearms. Illegal left-wing groups are active in Okmeydanı, a working-class district.
Osman Şimşek, editor of herkul.org — the website that usually publishes Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen’s speeches — has said that the Islamic cleric doesn’t respond to slander and insulting remarks so as not to provoke those who support the government.
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The gentleman gently said: “However, dear Mr. Alpay, it was clear from the beginning that the AKP had a hidden agenda. But pundits like yourself conveyed a highly positive picture of the AKP government both at home and abroad. You have a responsibility in the situation we find ourselves today.”
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