July 2nd, 1993: Thousands of people gathered in Madımak, Sivas and burnt down a hotel full of poets, artists, writers, singers, who were there for a culture festival. The papers claimed those people were "heathen, atheists" and provoked the people who were waiting for a spark. While the people outside chant "Muslim Turkey" "God, this is your fire. This is the fire from your hell!", the police, Ministry of Internal Affairs, Gendarmerie, even the Fire department just watched. 37 intellectual and some of their families lost their lives that day, they were burned alive in that hotel. The PM of the time, Tansu Ciller, made a speech saying that they were glad no civilans were hurt outside the hotel. Since 1993, intellectuals, NGOs and people request a museum or a monument at the spot. While the Hotel even served as a kebab restaurant (which created huge controversy, relating the BBQ with massacre of course), the building was not approved to serve as a museum. In 2013, the case still continues. Some of the files are already closed, many of the lawyers responsible for the suit has became Members of Parliament in AKP regime. Lately, it has been reported that new evidence, videos showing people carrying gas tanks, have been pending for forensics report for 5 months. The case will be closed by December, 2014 due to time limitations.
Posted on: Tue, 02 Jul 2013 10:23:44 +0000
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