Erzurum Rally Addressed by Governor Memiş and Mayor Sekmen
Violent clashes broke out in the eastern Turkish province of Erzurum during a visit by Istanbul Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. The Erzurum Governor Okay Memiş stated that during Imamoğlu’s visit to the province, a group stoned his bus and also attacked the people in the area, injuring some citizens. He emphasised that İmamoğlu’s visit was not planned as a rally but for the purpose of visiting tradesmen. Election restrictions began on May 4th, and after that point, all election-related activities will be organised by the Provincial and District Election Boards. According to Memiş, they had suggested a specific meeting place to Imamoglu, but the rally was not held there. The Governor said that they are responsible for ensuring the safety of all political parties exercising their necessary democratic rights.
Mayor Mehmet Sekmen of the Erzurum Metropolitan Municipality said that protesters tried to disrupt the peace of Erzurum, and that Havuzbaşı City Square was not designated as a meeting place. He accused Imamoglu of trying to hold a rally in the small square above the six car parks in the city center and said that no one has the right to disturb the peace of Erzurum.
During the violent clashes, 17 people were injured, and nine of them were kept under observation for precautionary purposes. Governor Memiş encouraged citizens of Erzurum not to hold all its citizens responsible for the incidents. Sekmen blamed the Republican People’s Party group for these violent protests and mentioned that the Provincial Election Board received no application from the party regarding a rally. These incidents indicate that Turkish politics remains highly volatile and polarised.
