ZB ZB
Live now
Start time
Playing for
End time
Listen live
Listen to NAME OF STATION
Up next
Listen live on
ZB

Rally blames Turkish govt. for Ankara blasts

Author
AAP ,
Publish Date
Mon, 12 Oct 2015, 6:13AM
A demonstrator holds a placard of one of the people killed in the blasts (Getty Images
A demonstrator holds a placard of one of the people killed in the blasts (Getty Images

Rally blames Turkish govt. for Ankara blasts

Author
AAP ,
Publish Date
Mon, 12 Oct 2015, 6:13AM

Thousands of people have attended a rally in Ankara under heavy security to remember the at least 95 people killed in twin bombings in the Turkish capital.

The demonstrators filled Sihhiye Square in central Ankara, close to the site of Saturday's blasts outside the city's train station, with some shouting anti-government slogans.

Sunday's rally was called by labour unions, leftist groups, NGOs and the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) - the same groups that had called the peace rally targeted in Saturday's attack.

Several demonstrators blamed President Recep Tayyip Erdogan over the bombings, shouting "Erdogan murderer", "government resign!" and "the state will give account".

The government has ridiculed suggestions it could be implicated in the bombings.

HDP leader Selahattin Demirtas, speaking to the rally, reaffirmed his party's claim that 128 people were killed, far higher than the official toll of 95 dead.

"Our hearts are burning. As of now, we have lost 128 of our comrades," he said, speaking from the top of a truck.

Demirtas said rather than seeking revenge people should aim to end Erdogan's rule, starting with November 1 legislative elections.

"We are not going to act out of revenge and hatred. But we are going to ask for (people to be held to) account," he added.

"November 1 is the first step towards that. What you are waiting for is November 1, this is when we start the work to topple the dictator," he said.

Meanwhile two Turkish soldiers have been killed in eastern Turkey in an attack blamed on Kurdistan Workers' Party militants.

Media reports say the attack, in the Senkaya district of Erzurum province, came a day after the rebel group declared it suspended all offensive operations.

The PKK announced it would suspend all attacks - except in self defence - after months of attacks in Turkey, a move seen as an attempt to help the pro-Kurdish People's Democracy Party boost its score in the upcoming election on November 1.

Take your Radio, Podcasts and Music with you