Strasburg June 2nd 2010

PRESS RELEASE

We have just one thing to tell the investigators : don’t play with the Alevis!

The investigation into Ergenekon is far from being over – only a very small amount of questions having been answered,  yet the trial has already turned into punishment. Many in the public opinion think that this is how the AKP is trying to silence their opponents.

Those who were pushed to commit suicide or those who were brought to trial all have a common point : they are Alevi. Is it sheer coincidence?

As any citizen in this country, an Alevi can be brought to trial. However when it is the former Minister of Justice, Seyfi OKATAY, who is brought to trial, one may wonder. Are we not entitled  to think  that something else is involved?

By arresting the former minister, who happens to be an Alevi leader, is not the government trying to pass on a message to the Alevis themselves?

How can the Alevi leaders be the target of the plot and the instigators of the plot? Isn’t there a contradiction?

As a 76-year-old lawyer, Dede Seyfi OKTAY certainly knows the law better than the Prosecutor who put him under arrest.

That is why we have no doubt that he will soon be released.

We have just one thing to tell the investigators : don’t play with the Alevis!

Confederation of Alevis in Europe