Ilgın Karlıdağ
October 14, 2015•Update: October 14, 2015
BRUSSELS
European Parliament President Martin Schulz has condemned the recent twin suicide bombings in Ankara that killed at least 97 people.
"I wish to condemn the bombings in Ankara in the strongest possible terms and extend our sincere condolences to the families and friends of the victims," Schulz said in a statement on Wednesday.
"This brutal terrorist attack on peaceful demonstrators was an attack on democracy," he said. "It is clear that these criminals wanted to sow discord and fear in the run-up to the elections. They must not be allowed to succeed in this."
"We are confident that democratic forces in Turkey will now stand shoulder to shoulder, break the spiral of violence and commit themselves to peaceful coexistence, in order to make free and fair parliamentary elections possible on November 1," Schulz said.
On Saturday morning, two explosions outside Ankara’s main train station killed at least 97 people who had gathered for a peace rally; hundreds of people were also wounded in the incident.
So far, no group has claimed responsibility for the attack. But Turkey’s Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said the focus of the investigations was now reportedly centered on Daesh, who was also linked to the Suruc bombing on July 20 that killed 33 people.
