Relatives of the Dedeoğulları family, 7 of whose members were murdered by Mehmet Altun in a racist attack in the Meram district of Konya on 30 July 2021, made a statement to draw attention to the ongoing case and demand justice. The relatives came together at the house of the Dedeoğullarıs where the massacre took place, and made a short statement after the meeting.
Relatives of the Dedeoğulları family said that they will start a Justice Vigil if justice is not served on 19 April, when the massacre trial will be celebrated.
'We won’t forget the massacre'
One of the family’s relatives, Erol Şan, said: "This is the home of Yaşar, İpek, Serpil, Serap, Sibel, Barış and Metin Dedeoğulları, who were murdered on 30 July 2021. They were murdered 224 days ago. We came together to remind the public that we have not forgotten the massacre. The judicial process has not yet satisfied our demand for justice, and it looks like it will not. But we are waiting for the trial. We won’t forget this massacre and we won’t let it be forgotten."
'We will start a Justice Vigil'
Harun Rıfatoğlu, nephew of İpek and Yaşar Dedeoğulları, said: “While the state and citizens' aim and purpose should be justice, there are those who ignore it. Justice is for everyone. So let's fight for justice. I would like to address the presiding judge and prosecutors: I want you to consider not only the evidence but also the circumstances in which the killings took place. The greatest law is justice. We want the judges and prosecutors to act on behalf of the state, not of political parties. We, as Dedeoğulları family, want justice for all peoples. If justice is not served on 19 April, we will start Justice Vigil.”