HDP seeks parliamentary inquiry into Elçi's killing, cites similarities to Dink murder

The Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) has appealed to launch a parliamentary inquiry into the killing of Tahir Elçi, president of the Diyarbak?r Bar Association, citing similarities between events proceeding Elçi's killing and those surrounding the 2007 killing of Armenian-Turkish journalist Hrant Dink.

"Tahir Elçi devoted his life to the struggle of finding and penalizing perpetrators and instigators of actor unknown murders. In that sense, he was a target for some 'deep structures' who are known to have carried out actor unknown murders and who lend open support to the AKP [Justice and Development Party] rule," ?dris Baluken, HDP's Diyarbak?r PM and a deputy parliamentary group chair, said in his proposal filed to parliament speaker's office on Nov. 30 to "reveal the process which turned Elçi into a target and which laid the ground for his slaughtering."

Baluken explained Elçi was made a target after Elçi's controversial remarks concerning the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK), which has killed dozens of Turkish soldiers since the resumption of hostilities this past summer. "The PKK is [the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party] not a terror organization,'" Elçi was quoted saying Oct. 14 on CNN Türk during a live interview.

"The PKK is a political movement that has important political demands and that enjoys widespread support, even if some of its actions are of a terrorist nature," Elçi said, sparking anger. His remarks then led to a one-day detainment, after which he was released pending trial. In an indictment prepared by Bak?rköy Public Prosecutor's Office, Elçi was charged with spreading terrorist propaganda. He risked up to seven years in prison if convicted. CNN Türk was also fined 70,000 Turkish Liras by Turkey's media board, the...