Attacks by fascist groups against HDP members, candidates and offices have increased ahead of 7 June elections in Turkey and North Kurdistan.

Fascist groups attacked an HDP Erzurum candidate today during his election work in Yenişehir neighbourhood of Palandöken district. On the other hand, a group of HDP members suffered an attack at the hands of racist groups yesterday in Torbalı district of İzmir on the way to a festival organised by the party.

HDP Erzurum candidate Zahir Uzun was first physically assaulted by two people during his election work in the street in the Yenişehir neighbourhood of Palandöken district of Erzurum, then other people started to gather around him and threatened him with a knife as well as insulting him. Uzun immediately left the scene so as to  avoid a more serious incident while the police did not react despite the police station being nearby.

Commenting on the attack, Uzun drew attention to the increase in attacks on HDP members, adding that the attacks are carried out in a systematic and organised way by the racist groups. Uzun also drew attention to the fact that the police never intervene.

In the meantime, a group of HDP members were attacked again by racist groups while traveling to the town of Pancar from the Torbalı district of İzmir to participate in a festival organised by the HDP. The group first attacked the vehicle carrying the sound system, then opened fire in the air. No one was wounded in the attack, the attackers left the scene and the HDP members continued on their way to the festival.