Medya News
Subscribe
  • Home
  • All News
  • Opinion
  • Kurdistan
  • Women
  • Politics
  • Human Rights
  • More
    • Audio Articles
    • Economy
    • Culture & Art
    • Ecology
    • Newsletter
    • Daily Review
Youtube
PODCAST
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • All News
  • Opinion
  • Kurdistan
  • Women
  • Politics
  • Human Rights
  • More
    • Audio Articles
    • Economy
    • Culture & Art
    • Ecology
    • Newsletter
    • Daily Review
Youtube
PODCAST
No Result
View All Result
Medya News

Turkish president targets historical figure of democratic change

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has targeted Fikri Sönmez, a left-wing political figure who was a major target of the Turkish military 42 years ago as the independent mayor of a northern district in Turkey.

12:00 pm 31/07/2022
A A
Turkish president targets historical figure of democratic change
Share this
FacebookTwitterRedditEmailLinkedInWhatsApp

Turkish president Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has targeted a political figure of the 1970s and 1980s, who was a major target of the Turkish military both before and after the military coup of 12 September 1980.

Addressing a crowd in Turkey’s northern city of Ordu on Saturday, Erdoğan said:

“The people of Ordu know what a disaster terrorism is. The people of Ordu know Fikri the Tailor too. My people of Ordu paid a high price for the things those people did.”

Fikri Sönmez, known as ‘Fikri the Tailor’ because of his profession, was the mayor of the district of Fatsa in Ordu province in 1980. He had won the elections in 1979 as an independent candidate, backed by one of the most influential Marxist groups at the time. He was arrested in a military operation dubbed ‘Point Operation’, which was actually a prelude to the military coup of two months later.

When the military took control of the administration on 12 September 1980, abolishing the Turkish parliament, suspending the constitution, and banning all political parties and trade unions, the case of Fikri Sönmez and his colleagues quickly became emblematic for the ruling generals in the most negative sense, because his election win in Fatsa signified a democratic alternative to the conservative political establishment, including the centre-left Republican People’s Party (CHP) of Bülent Ecevit.

He was detained and severely tortured in prison while a smear campaign was carried out in most of the Turkish press, in compliance with the instructions of the military rulers.

Sönmez died of a heart attack in May 1985 at the age of 47.

The Fatsa experience of local democracy remained frozen in Turkey for many years, until it was restored in Kurdish-majority cities and districts some decades later, only to be quashed again, this time by the Turkish political administration, by ousting elected officials and replacing them with state-appointed trustees.

 

Share this
FacebookTwitterRedditEmailLinkedInWhatsApp
Tags: Trending

Related Posts

Frustration, despair and tears on live tv as Turkey shocked with massive earthquake

Frustration, despair and tears on live tv as Turkey shocked with massive earthquake

February 7, 2023
Erdoğan shuns CHP in earthquake response in attempt to split opposition

Erdoğan shuns CHP in earthquake response in attempt to split opposition

February 7, 2023
Turkey’s Hatay still yet to receive any aid after utter devastation by earthquakes

Turkey’s Hatay still yet to receive any aid after utter devastation by earthquakes

February 7, 2023
Death toll climbs in Turkey and Syria, while WHO predicts it could reach 20,000 – live updates

Death toll climbs in Turkey and Syria, while WHO predicts it could reach 20,000 – live updates

February 7, 2023
Medya News Daily Review: 6 February 2023

Medya News Daily Review: 6 February 2023

February 6, 2023
IRC urges international community to increase funding for Syria

IRC urges international community to increase funding for Syria

February 7, 2023

Videos

Medya News Daily Review: 6 February 2023
DAILYSHOW

Medya News Daily Review: 6 February 2023

February 6, 2023

All News

Frustration, despair and tears on live tv as Turkey shocked with massive earthquake

Erdoğan shuns CHP in earthquake response in attempt to split opposition

Turkey’s Hatay still yet to receive any aid after utter devastation by earthquakes

Death toll climbs in Turkey and Syria, while WHO predicts it could reach 20,000 – live updates

Medya News Daily Review: 6 February 2023

IRC urges international community to increase funding for Syria

Medya News

Impressum

About us

Privacy Policy

Subscribe
Contact
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • All News
  • Opinion
  • Kurdistan
  • Women
  • World
  • Politics
  • Human Rights
  • Ecology
  • Economy
  • Culture & Art
  • Daily Show
  • Newsletter
  • Authors
  • Podcast

Welcome Back!

Login to your account below

Forgotten Password?

Retrieve your password

Please enter your username or email address to reset your password.

Log In
We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits. By clicking “Accept All”, you consent to the use of ALL the cookies. However, you may visit "Cookie Settings" to provide a controlled consent.
Cookie SettingsAccept All
Manage consent

Privacy Overview

This website uses cookies to improve your experience while you navigate through the website. Out of these, the cookies that are categorized as necessary are stored on your browser as they are essential for the working of basic functionalities of the website. We also use third-party cookies that help us analyze and understand how you use this website. These cookies will be stored in your browser only with your consent. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience.
Necessary
Always Enabled
Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. These cookies ensure basic functionalities and security features of the website, anonymously.
CookieDurationDescription
cookielawinfo-checkbox-analytics11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Analytics".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-functional11 monthsThe cookie is set by GDPR cookie consent to record the user consent for the cookies in the category "Functional".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-necessary11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookies is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Necessary".
cookielawinfo-checkbox-others11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Other.
cookielawinfo-checkbox-performance11 monthsThis cookie is set by GDPR Cookie Consent plugin. The cookie is used to store the user consent for the cookies in the category "Performance".
viewed_cookie_policy11 monthsThe cookie is set by the GDPR Cookie Consent plugin and is used to store whether or not user has consented to the use of cookies. It does not store any personal data.
Functional
Functional cookies help to perform certain functionalities like sharing the content of the website on social media platforms, collect feedbacks, and other third-party features.
Performance
Performance cookies are used to understand and analyze the key performance indexes of the website which helps in delivering a better user experience for the visitors.
Analytics
Analytical cookies are used to understand how visitors interact with the website. These cookies help provide information on metrics the number of visitors, bounce rate, traffic source, etc.
Advertisement
Advertisement cookies are used to provide visitors with relevant ads and marketing campaigns. These cookies track visitors across websites and collect information to provide customized ads.
Others
Other uncategorized cookies are those that are being analyzed and have not been classified into a category as yet.
SAVE & ACCEPT

Add New Playlist

Loading
Contact