Turkey’s Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu on Monday said the Çorum and Maraş massacres that took place in 1978 and 1980, respectively, were staged to pit people against each other.
“You could easily pit people against each other. Those who are old enough would remember the Çorum and Maraş incidents. They were completely staged, completely planned,” Soylu claimed, adding that the purpose was to create animosity among the people. Soylu drew parallels with the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK), saying that PKK leaders exploit the Kurdish people while they enjoy life in Europe.
In 1980 Çorum witnessed a massacre of Alevis as a result of attacks by ultranationalists. A total of 57 leftists were killed.
In Maraş, in a similar attack mainly targeting Alevis, 111 people were killed and homes and businesses were damaged.