Turkish PM Erdoğan allegedly punches man in Soma Erdoğan allegedly punches man in Soma, aide kicks mourner Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan allegedly punched a young man several times in Soma on Wednesday, after a large crowd angrily protested the recent mining disaster in which an explosion and fire killed at least 283 mineworkers. Many people in the crowd protested Erdoğan's presence, shouting that he is a "murderer" and a "thief," reportedly forcing the prime minister to take shelter in a grocery store. However, some reports claim that Erdoğan entered the store not to avoid the protests but rather to follow -- and subsequently punch -- a young man who had shouted at him outside the store. Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) deputy Lütfü Türkkan has claimed that he has spoken to the man who Erdoğan punched, saying that the young man's name is Taner Kuruca. Sharing the details of the conversation via micro blogging site Twitter, Türkkan wrote: "I spoke to Kuruca. The man said that he was shopping at the store when Erdoğan attacked him, thinking that he was a protester. He said that he was also beaten by Erdoğan's bodyguards.. Kuruca told me that only thing that he clearly remembers was that Erdoğan assaulted him." Reports allege that the young man, wearing a blue t-shirt, chanted slogans critical of Erdoğan and then entered the store. Erdoğan then followed the protester inside, grabbed the man and then punched him two or three times, according to eyewitness reports. The owner of the store corroborated the reports, saying that he saw surveillance camera footage showing that Erdoğan was punching a man, adding, "The bodyguards took away the footage and suggested that I not mention the issue." A video of the incident shared on the popular video-sharing platform YouTube shows Erdoğan telling the protester, "Come next to me and boo me," before walking up to the one man into the store then. At one point during the video Erdoğan grabs the protestor and punches him. In the video footage, Deputy Prime Minister Bülent Arınç and Interior Minister Efkan Ala are seen entering the store after Erdoğan and attempting to calm him down. Erdoğan's anger and nervousness can be seen on his face as he leaves the store. Tensions were high as hundreds of relatives and miners jostled outside the coal mine waiting for news, with a heavy police presence. Many women wept uncontrollably, men knelt sobbing while others just stared in disbelief as rescue workers removed a steady stream of bodies throughout the night and early morning.After the incident Erdoğan's bodyguards are alleged to take footage from surveillance cameras which may have recorded the incident. A number of people showed strong reactions to Erdoğan's visit. Rocks were thrown at the police, who clamped down strongly on the protesters. Police set up fences and stood guard around Soma state hospital during Erdoğan's visit. Opposition parties in Parliament strongly criticized Erdoğan over the alleged incident. Speaking to Today's Zaman, main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Deputy Chairman Haluk Koç described Erdoğan's behavior as shameful; "Erdoğan's hate speech knows no limits and he has gone so far as to resort to violence against a citizen. The government's irresponsible acts have turned into cruelty against citizens. It was clear that Erdoğan's continued insulting discourse would result in violence. How can we think of Erdoğan as a human after this violent act? He now turned out to be a symbol of hatred." Commenting on the violent act, Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) Deputy Chairwoman Ruhsar Demirel said that people are mourning the victims of the tragic mine disaster and all of us feel deep sorrow. "Given the atmosphere, I hope the video footage turns out not to be authentic. There is no place for such a burst of anger. No matter what your position is, even a prime minister, all criticism should be listened to and considered in silence. Politicians should show respect to citizens' criticisms and reactions. I hope that the footage of the incident is not real," Demirel said.President Abdullah Gül also faced protests in Soma while visiting the mine. Relatives of mineworkers who lost their lives chanted, "Return the bodies to us" and "We don't want you." Some relatives of workers are heard shouting at Gül to leave the scene, saying that the rescue teams cannot work properly due to Gül's visit, adding, "We are in need of rescue teams. We do not need for police or you. Go away!" An adviser of Erdoğan kicked a mourner In addition to Erdoğan, an aide of his also engaged in violence, this time against a mourner whose family members had been killed in the mine disaster. Yusuf Yerkel, an adviser to Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, sparked further anger after being photographed kicking a mourner in Soma.

• published: 15 May 2014
• views: 36