As President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan emerged as the victor of Turkey’s presidential elections holding over 50 percent of votes in the yet-to-be-officially-confirmed results, one of Erdoğan’s celebrating supporters stabbed and killed an opposition party member on Sunday night.
According to the main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Deputy Chair Seyit Torun, a CHP member was viciously attacked with a knife in the northern province of Ordu. Outraged, Torun said, “Those who claimed to be celebrating in Ordu, mercilessly killed our young brother Erhan Kurt by stabbing him.”
The CHP official added, “We will not let go of this matter until justice is served for this murder and all responsible parties are held accountable!”
Meanwhile, Democratic Party Deputy Chair Cemal Enginyurt blamed the attack on the ruling government’s rhetoric. “This much hatred and animosity in your language has led to this outcome! Those in power, are you satisfied now? Your language of hatred and animosity has yielded results. Shame on you,” he said.
The killing has sparked concern over increasing polarisation and tension within the country.