HDP member Deniz Poyraz has been murdered by a Turkish fascist in the party headquarters in the western Turkish province of Izmir today. The premises, which were under round-the-clock police surveillance, were set on fire by the perpetrator. The attack represents a high point in the attacks on the HDP.

“88 women have been killed in the first 3 months of 2021. Istanbul Convention keeps alive” read a banner unfurled on the facade of the HDP office where Deniz Poyraz has been murdered this morning.

In his first police statement, the 27-year-old attacker, Onur Gencer, said, “I have no connection with anyone. I entered the building because I hated the PKK, and I shot random fires.”

Photographs of the murdered that emerged following the incident show his relations with the AKP/MHP government. Based on the murderer’s social media accounts, it is understood that he is not an ordinary person and did plan the attack beforehand. Weapons and racist remarks can be seen on the assailant’s Instagram account. There are many photos of the attacker with a gun in his hand. Most of these were taken in the cities of Rojava and Syria occupied by the Turkish state. The photos show that the attacker received military training.

The deadly attack that represents a high point in the attacks on the HDP has been met with strong reactions worldwide, which include the following posts on Twitter:

The Left in the European Parliament – GUE/NGL: We condemn the brutal raid on HDP office in Izmir, Turkey and the murder of party worker Deniz Poyraz. All our support and solidarity goes to the HDP and the loved ones of Ms Poyraz. The EU must speak out against Erdogan's violent repression.

Spain Member of the European Parliament and Standing Rapporteur on Turkey, Nacho Sánchez Amor: Appalled to learn of the death of HDP party worker Deniz Poyraz killed by an assailant attacking HDP İzmir office. All my solidarity to her family and HDP. Perpetrator of this heinous crime must be brought to justice. The political campaign against HDP must end.

British Labour/Co-operative MP Lloyd Russell-Moyle: Shocking news coming out of Izmir Turkey with a gunman attacking the HDP offices killing one. Please ask your MP to attend the All-Party Parliamentary Group on the Kurdistan Region in Iraq urgent briefing by Hişyar Özsoy tomorrow at 2pm.

European Free Alliance: Following the murder of Deniz Poyraz in the attack on the HDP İzmir district building, EFA President Lorena López de Lacalle gives her condolences. This has been done on purpose to try to encourage a violent response. The strongest tool HDP has is full commitment to peace and dialogue to solve political differences. They will not be detoured from this.

David Adler of Progressive International: Shocking, devastating, and enraging news from Izmir, where Deniz Poyraz was murdered in attack on the HDP headquarters. Every day, Erdogan's dictatorship becomes more brutal.

MEP Nikolaj Villumsen: The HDP office in Izmir have just been attacked. HDP female member Deniz Poyraz was killed in the attack. All my solidarity and thoughts with Denis Poyraz and her family. EU needs to speak out against the terror and call for an end to the campaign against HDP.

MEP Özlem Alev Demirel: An armed man storms the HDP building in Izmir. One person is killed in the attack. In the meantime, the perpetrator is said to have been arrested, but what about the intellectual arsonists? My sympathy to the relatives!

PODEMOS: We condemn the brutal attack with guns and fire on HDP office in Izmir, Turkey, and the murder of party worker Deniz Poyraz. We send all our solidarity with HDP and the loving ones of Mrs Poyraz. The EU must act against this violent repression.