The investigation was announced by Diyarbakır Bar Association Head Tahir Elçi, according to the Doğan news agency. He said a number of civil society organizations held talks with state officials and party representatives to "solve the issue using common sense." But, he said, they failed.
Tensions rose after security services dismantled the newly erected statue of Korkmaz, who is said to have fired the first bullet at Turkish soldiers in the three-decade-long conflict between the PKK and Turkey.
Elçi said they conveyed their concerns to Diyarbakır Governor Mustafa Cahit Kıraç after a soldier shared a photo in which he can be seen stepping on the head of the statue of Korkmaz. Elçi added that Kıraç launched an administrative and disciplinary investigation into the soldier’s behavior.
He said "several public officials displayed ugly, disturbing and unacceptable behavior toward a statue that is venerated by one segment of society." Condemning the "ugly behavior," Elçi said the Diyarbakır governor also shared the same feeling and said his office launched a “necessary investigation” into everyone involved in the photo.
