A group of about 50 people assembled outside the headquarters of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) in Ankara, Turkey, following the threats issued by Devlet Bahçeli, the leader of the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) and ally of Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, during a parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday.
These individuals, who identified themselves as members of the Veterans and Martyrs Families Foundation of Turkey, reportedly chanted racist and offensive slogans while remaining behind police barriers.
During the parliamentary group meeting, Bahçeli had targeted DEM Party members of parliament, calling them “pests” and suggesting that their salaries and treasury assistance should be immediately cut off and redirected to families of fallen soldiers. He called the party’s receipt of treasury aid a disgrace and urged for the swift resolution of immunity files of those allegedly aiding and abetting terrorism. Bahçeli also proposed the restructuring or closure of the Constitutional Court (AYM) and the revision of parliamentary immunity.
Despite the arrival of this group and their provocative actions, the situation outside the DEM Party headquarters did not escalate into violence. The group eventually dispersed on its own, without any intervention from the police, despite the DEM Party members’ calls for action. Additionally, a yellow body bag was reportedly placed in front of the party building by the group.
The yellow bag left at the site is believed to be symbolising a direct and ominous reference to Selahattin Demirtaş’s earlier mention of a threat he received, thereby perpetuating the intimidating message he highlighted. In his third day of defence during the Kobani trial, Selahattin Demirtaş, former co-chair of the pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP), emphasised his dedication to peace, despite receiving threats. “Despite the words ‘I will bring your brother in a yellow bag, Demirtaş,’ I strived for peace,” he explained.
