Relatives Of Terrorism Victims Protest Efforts To Abolish Death Penalty

MUDANYA, March 12 (A.A) - A group of relatives of terrorism victims threw a black wreath into the sea in Mudanya on Tuesday to protest the efforts to abolish death penalty.
Relatives of terrorism victims who came from Bursa, Istanbul, Ankara, Yalova, Balikesir, Bolu and Ordu, first sang the National Anthem and then observed a minute of silence for the memory of the victims.
Mehmet Alptekin who spoke on behalf of the group said that the 15-year old war cost the lives of 30,000 people while injuring 40,000 others. He said the violence also cost Turkey about 100 billion USD. He indicated that the chief terrorist Abdullah Ocalan was tried by independent courts and he was sentenced to death because of treason.
He later complained and said ''Those who say that nothing could be above supremacy of law are keeping the chief terrorist's file at the Prime Ministry with no legal basis.''
He said that the state was spending 500 billion TL a month to protect Ocalan in Imrali while Ocalan continues to give instructions.
''Abolishing death penalty under these circumstances means to save Ocalan from being executed and relatives of terrorism victims cannot accept that. If needed, we want to hold a referendum to ask the opinion of our people,'' he said.