NEWS CENTER - An Islamic memorial service was held for journalists Nazım Daştan and Cihan Bilgin, who were targeted and killed by an Unmanned Combat Aerial Vehicle (UCAV) while coverinn the attacks of Turkey and the Syrian National Army (SNA) on North and East Syria. 

 

The Islamic memorial service for Nazım Daştan was held at the condolence house in Agirî's (Ağrı) Giyadîn (Diyadin) district, and was attended member of democratic organizastions and DEM Party MPs Nejla Demir, Heval Bozdağ, Mahmut Dindar. 

 

'WE WILL FOLLOW THEIR STRUGGLE'

 

 

Speaking afterwards, MEBYA- DER Wan Branch Co-Chair Hanım Kaya stated that the Free Press illuminated the darkness and said: "Our friends exposed the fake news of the Turkish state with their truthful and accurate news. That is why our friends Cihan and Nazım were targeted and murdered by the gang and the Turkish State. As we have always said, wherever there is a Kurd, they will continue their struggle until the end and defend their mother language and free Kurdistan. We commemorate all our martyrs n the person of our friends and bow to them with respect. We promise that we will follow their struggle."

 

Speaking next, DEM Party MP Nejla Demir stated the following: “In the last 5 years, 13 Free Press workers have been martyred as a result of these attacks. These attacks have been going on for 100 years and hundreds of thousands of Kurds have been killed. Let them know that the Kurdish people are not the Kurds of old; they are defending and will defend their fundamental rights everywhere.”

 

ISLAMIC MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR CI·HAN BI·LGI·N IN MÎDYAD 

 

On the last day of the condolence for journalist Cihan Bilgin, an Islamic memorial service was held in Mîdyad district of Mêrdîn (Mardin). Hundreds of people who attended Cihan Bilgin's condolence marched to the condolence house carrying banners with the photographs of murdered journalists. After the march where slogans such as “Şehîd namirin (Martyrs won't die)”, “Cihan, Nazim rûmeta me ye (Cihan, Nazım our honour)” and “Free Press cannot be silenced” were chanted, a minute of silence was observed.

 

'THEIR PENS WILL NOT REMAIN ON THE GROUND' 

 

 

Speaking on behalf of Dicle Fırat Journalists Association (DFG), journalist Ahmet Kanbal stated that truth-seeking journalists were murdered and said: “Both of our friends followed the trail of the martyrs of the Free Press. From here, we once again pledge to follow their legacy and not to leave the truth on the ground. We will follow their path and will not leave their pens on the ground.” 

 

DEM Party MP Beritan Güneş stated that the freedom struggle of the Kurdish people was heard by the whole world thanks to the Free Press and said: “There have been 61 attacks on the press in this month alone. Turkey is trying to destroy the truth. Neither tanks, cannons, nor UCAVs can destroy the voice of truth. The aim is to destroy the Kurdish people. We have not bowed down since Sheikh Sait and we will not bow down. Thanks to the pen of Cihan and Nazım, there is no one left in the world who has not heard about the resistance of the Kurdish people. That is why we owe them. That is why we need to protect the values and legacy they left behind. We will fight for the life and dreams you want to create.” 

 

KATIBE BI·LGI·N ASKED FOR HER DAUGHTER'S BODY

 

Speaking lastly, Cihan Bilgin's mother Katibe Bilgin asked for her daughter's body to be buried in her hometown. “I want her body to be brought here so that all her loved ones can visit her grave. I didn't see her alive but at least I can visit her grave. I want my Cihan and Nazım to be instrumental for peace. My condolences to all of you,” she said.  

 

The condolence meeting at the condolence house continued later in the day.