Artvin Governor Mustafa Yemlihalýoðlu and Artvin Police Chief Muhsin Armaðan announced their resignations in the afternoon. The province's security officials have been criticized for failing to take necessary precautions prior to the events that took place on Tuesday.

The Governor and Police Chief resigned following yesterday's handle of a protest against the Prime Minister's election rally in Hopa. Fifty four years old retired teacher Metin Lokumcu died in hospital of an heart attack. The autopsy today confirmed the heart failure was linked to his inhaling tear gas thrown by police.

Claims emerged on Wednesday that the police and the gendarme had failed to prevent violent protests and the attack on prime minister's convoy. State Minister Hayati Yazýcý on Wednesday said there were serious “security flaws” in the area.