MÊRDÎN - While hundreds of people paid condolence visits to the family of slain journalist Cihan Bilgin on the last day of her funeral, her mother Katibe Bilgin asked for her daughter's body to be buried in her own land and said, "I did not see her alive, but at least I can visit her grave. I want my Cihan and Nazım to be instrumental for peace. I am sorry for all of you."

 

Hundreds of people visited the condolence centre established in Mîdyad district of Mêrdîn for journalist Cihan Bilgin, who was killed by Turkey's drone attack in Northern and Eastern Syria. The family, who will accept condolences at home after today, held a mevlit for Cihan Bilgin.

 

Hundreds of people attending the condolence for Cihan Bilgin carried banners with the photographs of Cihan Bilgin and Nazım Daştan and marched to the condolence house with the slogans ‘Şehîd na mirin’, ‘Cihan Nazım rûmeta me ye’ and ‘Free press cannot be silenced’.

 

On the last day of the condolence, a minute of silence was held in memory of the murdered journalists in the person of Cihan Bilgin and Nazım Daştan.

 

Speaking afterwards, Gurbet Tekin, Mêrdîn Co-President of the Association for Assistance and Solidarity with the Families of the Disappeared in the Cradle of Civilisations (MEBYA-DER), stated that they will increase the struggle left by Cihan Bilgin and Nazım Daştan.

 

‘We will fight for your dreams’

 

Peoples' Equality and Democracy Party (DEM Party) Mêrdîn MP Beritan Güneş drew attention to the pressures on the free press since the 90s and said, "There have been 61 attacks on the press in this month alone. Turkey is trying to destroy the truth. Neither tanks, cannons, nor SİHAs can destroy the voice of truth. The aim is to destroy the Kurdish people. We have not bowed down since Şeyh Sait and we will not bow down. Thanks to the pen of Cihan and Nazım, there is no one left in the world who has not heard about the resistance of the Kurdish people. Therefore, we owe them a debt. That is why we need to protect the values and legacy they left. We will fight for the life and dreams you want to create."

 

‘May my Cihan and Nazım be instrumental for peace’

 

Cihan Bilgin's mother Katibe Bilgin also asked for her daughter's body to be buried in her own land and said, "I want her body to be brought here so that we and all her loved ones can visit her grave. I didn't see her alive but at least I can visit her grave. I want my Cihan and Nazım to be instrumental for peace. I am sorry for all of you."

 

While the visits continue at the condolence house, the visitors frequently commemorate Cihan Bilgin and Nazım Daştan with the slogan ‘Şehîd namirin’.