DİHA - Dicle News Agency

ANKARA (DİHA) - The death toll in the July 20 Suruç attack has risen to 32 according to fresh information, Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) General Co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş told reporters on July 21.

Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) General Co-chair Selahattin Demirtaş spoke to reporters before his meeting all the members of MYK (Central Executive Board) at his party's general center in Ankara. “This pain is huge. But frankly, statements after the attack and offense against our party are as painful as the massacre,” Demirtaş said ahead of a party meeting to discuss the attack in a municipal cultural center in the southeastern province of Urfa’s Suruç district.

'Media is pursuing an uglier agenda than those who conducted massacre'

The media is pursuing an “uglier” agenda than those who conducted the massacre, he said. Demirtaş said they would increase security measures at their party buildings and called on civic society and citizens to do the same, noting that gang members of the ISIS are everywhere.

'Pro-government media displayed same mentality as ISIS'

Demirtaş criticized pro-government media outlets for attacking the HDP on the grounds that they party had made a call to arm themselves. “The HDP will succeed despite these dastards” and even though the pro-government media has displayed the same mentality as ISIS, he said.

'Our people are in position of taking their own security'

After the Suruç attack, Demirtaş called on his party’s provincial and district headquarters to “take their own security measures.” “Now, our people are in the position of taking their own security,” Demirtaş told TV broadcaster Med Nûçe on July 20.

In a written statement, the HDP also said they would discuss taking their own security measures at a party meeting on July 21. The HDP co-chair also said the state has records on young people who make press statements.

(nt)