Politician and activist Mehmet Zeki Çelebi was killed by an armed attack while he was leaving his workplace in the city center of Sulaymaniyah on 17 May. He was commemorated on Sunday, on the 40th day of his martyrdom.

Çelebi's family attended the memorial, as did many intellectuals, journalists, politicians, religious people and families of martyrs.

Speaking at the commemoration, Zeki Çelebi's friend İsnan Stêrk said: “We are not sheep that lie under the butcher's knife. Our belief is our struggle and resistance. We are not weak. We demand our rights. We do not oppress anyone, but everyone should know that we will not accept oppression. Most of our martyrs were avenged and their blood did not remain on the ground. Certainly, Martyr Zeki's revenge will be taken and his blood will not be left on the ground. We demand the Sulaymaniyah administration not to play blind and deaf and to expose the murderers. Every day, our comrades are killed and none of us is safe."

Addressing those who attended the ceremony after İsnan Stêrk, Zeki Çelebi's wife, Nurten Çelebi, said: "I know that Zeki is listening to me right now. I opened my eyes thanks to Zeki, got to know my country and my culture. I am happy because Zeki became the father of my children.”

The memorial ended after the screening of a video about Çelebi's struggle.