Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen offers condolences for Tahir Elçi, slain police officers

Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen has offered his condolences in the death of lawyer Tahir Elçi, who was the president of the Diyarbakır Bar Association, and the two police officers who were killed in a shootout in the southeastern province of Sur, which erupted as Elçi was making a statement to the press on Saturday.

In a letter of condolence, Gülen expressed his sorrow after learning of Elçi's and the police officers' death, and called the killing of the prominent lawyer an attack on Turkey's unity. He also said he wishes for the perpetrators to be captured and brought to justice.

“I wish God's mercy for the deceased Tahir Elçi and the martyrs, and I extend my condolences to the mourning families, to his loved ones and his colleagues,” Gülen said. He called on the Turkish people to protect peace and unity while condemning all kinds of terrorism.

Published on Sunday's Zaman, 29 November 2015, Sunday