Lice clashes are the Kurdish version of Gezi Park: Ruling AKP spokesman
30 June 2013 – JTW – The clashes in southeastern Diyarbakır’s Lice district on June 28 aimed to “disrupt” the ongoing Kurdish peace process, the ruling Justice and Development (AKP) Party’s Spokesperson Hüseyin Çelik has commented via Twitter.
“Those who are planning a Big Plot are trying to put in place the Kurdish version of Gezi Park. Please be careful, my Kurdish brother,” Çelik wrote on his Twitter account, adding that the clashes between villagers and soldiers which left one person dead were the result of a “dirty conspiracy.”
“Big Plot” was the catchphrase during AKP’s mass rallies organized as a response the nationwide protests. Çelik also launched the hashtag #resistresolution (“#dirençözüm”) on Twitter, echoing the slogans of the Gezi Park protesters. “The resolution process is seriously disturbing the warlords and those who want to reach their goals through the blood of this country’s children. That’s why we say #resistresolution, because if you don’t, blood and hatred will win,” Çelik wrote.
“The extensions of Ergenekon and racist nationalists are trying to support the Big Plot in Lice,” he also added, in reference to the shadowy deep state network accused of plotting a coup against the AKP government.
‘No new gendarmerie station’ – Çelik also said it was untrue that a gendarmerie station was being built in Lice, a fact that allegedly sparked the protests of the villagers. “There are currently 15 gendarmerie constructions underway in Diyarbakır, all of which are just renewals. There are no new gendarmerie stations. The construction at Lice-Kayacık is also a renewal. Besides, a new facility could be built if necessary,” Çelik wrote, calling on people not to believe what he described as “social media lies.” The clashes left one dead and 10 injured. Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) co-chair Gültan Kışanak and independent Van deputy Aysel Tuğluk went to visit the site to collect information.