AKP is nominating scandalous candidates for the snap elections, one of whom is first place candidate in Van, Osman Nuri Gülaçar, who had been arrested in 2009 for being Al-Qaeda’s top man in Van province.

A RECORD OF KURDISH ANIMOSITY

Gülaçar is also known for his hate speech, and Erdoğan calls him “A bright, shining man”.

Gülaçar had run for Van Metropolitan Municipality in 2014, and he had angered the people with the scandals he was involved in. In previous election campaigns, his bodyguards had opened fire against the people who protested him. His supporters had also attacked the election offices of the BDP with sticks, stones and guns.