No certain information so far, but some reliable Twitter users I follow point out a gang behind the attacks: Youth organization of ultra-nationalist BBP. This was formed by former MHP members who had a more Islamic tendency. They are known to have performed similar attacks before… Some quick to accuse “rising Islamism” but better to look at fascistic tendencies of neighbourhood residents (Tophane) and their possible relations with that gang…
Two art galleries attacked in central Istanbul
Hurriyet Daily News
Two art galleries in Istanbul’s Beyo?lu district were attacked by a group of 30 people carrying sticks and stones during a gala event Tuesday night leaving
From the attacked gallery…
The ugly side of Istanbul
Sometimes, you just don’t want to be right. Last night after work, I met up with some friends and headed down the main street in my old neighborhood to an “art walk” among a cluster of galleries hosting openings in the Tophane area of Istanbul. Civilized, right? Being as this is Turkey, I was a bit surprised to see some people strolling around outside with beer bottles and plastic cups of wine. As we approached our first destination, Galeri NON, the crowd thickened, blocking the sidewalk. “I hope this won’t be a problem for them,” I told my German translator friend, thinking mostly that the police might break the event up as they had a recent street party featuring alcohol.
From the attacked gallery…
Islamists vs. Hipsters in Istanbul | EurasiaNet.org
School Boycott for Education in Mother Tongue
ANDREW FINKEL – The Hrant Dink Award
Who is responsible for the roadside mine explosion?
LALE KEMAL – Demilitarization of the Kurdish Southeast
Hakkari, une province kurde sous très haute tension
Que se passe-t-il dans la province d?Hakkari ? La tension déjà très forte depuis maintenant un an, vient de monter d?un cran.
Comme prévu, c?est la province kurde qui a le plus massivement boycotté le référendum du 12 septembre (résultats ici ). Moins de 7% des électeurs se sont rendus aux urnes. Seul le district de Semdinli, à la lisière de l?Iran et de l?Irak, a fait exception. Dans cette petite ville très religieuse, l?AKP possède encore un électorat, certes minoritaire (la municipalité comme toutes celles des villes de la province y est BDP – le parti kurde) et 30% des électeurs se sont déplacés, pour voter OUI – le même taux qu?à Diyarbakir. Partout ailleurs la population a massivement boycotté le référendum. 3% de votants à Yüksekova ! Et la plupart de ces rares électeurs sont probablement venus de l?extérieur (fonctionnaires, forces de l?ordre ?).