ANKARA – Participants at the commemoration of Ali Haydar Kaytan and Rıza Altun in Tuzluçayı, Ankara, say the two men built a great tradition. 

 

The commemoration organised in Ankara's Tuzluçayır district for PKK leaders Ali Haydar Kaytan and Rıza Altun continues. Starting on 13 May, Democratic Regions Party (DBP) Co-Chair Keskin Bayındır, Peoples' Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party Co-Chair Tuncer Bakırhan and politician Sebahat Tuncel as well as many people attended the commemoration today.

 

 

Şevval Uzun pointed out the importance of the neighbourhood and the house where the commemoration was held and said, "The fact that all those who took part in the founding of the PKK gathered here, held meetings here, and all of them came to this house symbolised this house."

 

 

Devin Can Atakan said, "Attributing this process to these friends of course increases the intensity of emotions. We are here with the strength and power we got from them."

 

 

"The house we are in is a historical house," said Ensar Bozkurt and added: "It is an important place in terms of the history of our party. The days we are going through are also very important. The fact that we are here today for their condolences puts us in a serious emotional intensity. Our comrades have built a great tradition."

 

 

Mustafa Karabudak said that Tuzluçayır is a place where “the struggle for freedom was fermented”. Karabudak continued: “Tuzluçayır is the legacy of our predecessors, the legacy of Rıza Altuns. This is an honour and value for us. They are meaningful, valuable and their martyrdom is a great loss for us.”

 

 

Stating that he knew Rıza Altun from Amed (Diyarbakır) Prison Reşat Keskin said: “In 1980,  I was staying in ward 25. After a while a large group was brought to ward 33. Our ward and their ward used the same garden. That time I saw Rıza Altun. I honour him with respect.”