Madimak hotel massacre victims commemorated

On 2 July 1993, 35 people lost their life in an arson attack, most of them Alevi intellectuals.

The KCK (Kurdistan Communities Union) Executive Council co-presidency has said that behind the Madımak massacre was the mentality of today's DAESH (ISIS).

In a written statement the KCK said that those who carried out the massacre 25 years ago were blinded by hatred and could not stand the brotherhood and co-existence of peoples and beliefs, like today's DAESH.

The DTK, Democratic Society Congress, also remembered the victims and stated that throughout history Alevis were subjected to brutal repression because of their refusal to be assimilated.

The Sivas Massacre or Madimak massacre refers to the fire at the hotel Madimak that on 2 July 1993 resulted in the death of 35 people, mainly Alevi intellectuals and two hotel employees.

The Alevis had gathered at the Madimak hotel in Sivas for a cultural festival celebrating the life of 16th-century Alevi poet Pir Sultan Abdal.

Among the intellectuals was celebrated left wing writer Aziz Nesin who was much hated by Islamic extremists.

A mob of extremists sieged the hotel and eventually ended up setting it on fire. Nesin himself was able to escape the fire, but dozens of other intellectuals lost their life. Among them were poets, musicians, but also tourists and hotel staff.

The police did nothing and didn’t intervene.

Several people were arrested in the aftermath of the fire. Over the years a number of trials were held and sentences handed out. Yet, the feeling that justice has not been done remains.

The State Security Court finally sentenced 33 defendants to death on 28 November 1997 for their role in the massacre. In 2002, shortly after Turkey suspended the application of death penalty, the sentences were commuted to life sentences.