Harika Morkoç, the daughter of Kamber Morkoç who was killed as he was going to a picnic near the Gundik (Koyunlu) village of Göle, was with her father as he was shot and emphasized the state role in the attack. Harika Morkoç stated that they were under heavy attack and the minibus driver’s decision to drive backwards prevented further casualties. Morkoç said that two people who introduced themselves as undercover police stopped the minibus on its way back and told the civilians that their identities were known to them, which points at the role of the state in the attack.

Kamber Morkoç, Emine Morkoç, Harika Morkoç, Kurtuluş Morkoç and Sabri Morkoç were going to a picnic nearby their village Gundik (Koyunlu) in the Göle district of Ardahan at the time of the attack. Minibus driver Altan Akın and Sabri Morkoç were injured during the attack which claimed the life of Kamber Morkoç. Harika Morkoç survived the attack unharmed, and harshly criticized Ardahan Governorship’s statement blaming the PKK for the attack.

'Police abadoned us to die'

Morkoç stated that they were on their way to a picnic as they heard an explosion sound which was followed by a rain of bullets. Morkoç said that they were shocked to see the minibus under fire and immediately hid themselves under the seats as the driver drove backwards to escape from the attack. Morkoç stated that two undercover police officers stopped their minibus after the attack and addressed them by their names which points at the role of the state in the attack. Survivors of the attack asked the two officers to call an ambulance but the police did nothing to help the wounded civilians. Morkoç said that they asked the officers for help once again when one of the tyres of the minibus caught on fire, but the undercover police stood by and did nothing once again.

How did the police know who they were?

Morkoç stated that the police left them to die and the state was responsible for her father’s death. Morkoç said that the police knew who the survivors were before any introduction was made between the two parties, and emphasized that this situation pointed at the state role in the attack. Morkoç stated that on top of not helping the civilians, the offiers delayed the minibus on purpose and this attitude reflected the role of the state in the organization of the attack.

'I think that the state did the attack'

Morkoç objected to the governorship’s hasty statement that blamed the PKK for the attack, and said that the state killed these civilians and blamed it on someone else. Morkoç called out the governorship as liers and emphasized the role of the two police officers as proof of state role and organization in the attack.