Hundreds of people stand guard around attacked Atatürk Monument in Samsun

Duvar English

Two people on Feb. 3 tried to demolish the Atatürk Monument in the Black Sea province of Samsun, by tying a rope around it. When they faced the reaction of citizens, they fled the scene.

After the attack, hundreds of people gathered around the monument and stood guard all night. They torched lights and sang the Turkish national anthem (İstiklal Marşı) as well as other patriotic songs.

The municipalities of İlkadım and Atakum districts set up tents in the park where the monument is located and offered tea and bagels to citizens.

The police detained the two assailants on Feb. 4 who had records for six different crimes. An investigation was launched against them for the crime of “publicly insulting the memory of Atatürk.”

Several renowned people, including politicians and musicians, have reacted against the attack, sharing images of the monument and gathering on their social media accounts. 

Law 5816, titled “The Law Concerning Crimes Committed Against Atatürk,” in the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) protects “the memory of Atatürk” from insult by any Turkish citizen. Any such offense is punishable by up to three years in jail. 

Separately, a monument in the Uzunköprü district of the northwestern province of Edirne was burned down by unknown assailants in the early hours of Feb. 4.

Uzunköprü Mayor Özlem Becan shared a video of the Justice Monument on Twitter. 

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