Speaking yesterday in Zurich, HDP Co-president Selahattin Demirtaş told ANF that such attacks as the one on the party’s HQ in Ankara the previous day would never intimidate the party. He said: “We have always been the target of attacks. They strengthen our determination.”

Demirtaş added that he had been told two people had been arrested, one of whom had attacked the party’s Ankara office in 2011. “These attacks are designed to create pre-election tension. We are aware they are going to happen and have taken the necessary precautions. We will not be drawn into provocations,” he said.

Demirtaş said he was not hostile to any other political party, either the  AKP, CHP, or MHP. He added that they were involved in an unfair, unjust race, but were trying to turn things to their advantage. “There are various forces trying to stop the HDP and from time to time they will try to create a tense atmosphere in the country. We see this as being very dangerous and will not get involved,” he said.

“We have always been the target of attacks. They strengthen our determination,” he said, adding that their reactions to these attacks should be measured and that everyone in the HDP should work within a democratic framework.