Turkish lawyer, police officer killed in PKK attack

Tahir Elci, 49, the president of Diyarbakir Bar Association, was killed in Diyarbakir’s Sur district just after he spoke at a news meeting.

Eyewitnesses said the lawyer, Tahir Elci, was giving a press statement, calling for peace between the Turkish security forces and Kurdish separatists.

Police block the crime scene for the press.

Mr. Elci was shot dead as plainclothes security officials opened fire on at least one man running past them on the street, according to eyewitnesses.

In Reuters TV footage Elci can be seen lying on the ground with a head injury, apparently still breathing, with blood streaming onto the ground as people continue to exchange fire.

The Diyarbakir governor’s office declared a curfew in the area after the incident. A policeman was also killed. “We were never able to say goodbye to them with our minds at ease thinking those responsible will be caught”.

Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu vowed to track down the attackers and promised a “transparent” investigation. The marchers chanted: “Shoulder to shoulder against fascism”, and “Tahir Elci is immortal”.

Following news of his death, peaceful anti-government protesters gathered in Istanbul’s Galatasaray Square.

“If there is such a thing, it will be revealed as a result of ballistic examination, and will certainly be shared with the public in a transparent manner”, Davutoglu said. It’s still unclear whether Elci was deliberately targeted during the shooting. “However, if some people try to create chaos over this incident, we will not be indifferent”. “All he wanted was peace”, said Diyarbakir resident Kadri Kavut, 47.

A government official said four inspectors have been assigned to investigate the case, adding that the government was “determined to shed light” on the attack.

The Turkish security forces and the PKK have since been engaged in a series of tit-for-tat attacks.

The two injured policemen were rushed to the hospital.

A video clip posted on the website of the privately owned Dogan news agency showed gunmen hiding behind the minaret of a mosque and firing on Elci and a group of activists.