Call for Support in Berlin for Trial of Sivas Massacre Suspects in Germany

Die Linke MP Ferat Koçak and Berlin State Parliament candidates Betül Havva Yılmaz and Yurtsever Özdemir visited BAT-Cemevi as part of the campaign demanding the prosecution of Sivas Madımak Massacre suspects living in Germany. During the meeting, the legal process, the signature campaign, and the issue of racism against Alevis were discussed.

The Berlin-based Berlin Alevi Community (BAT)-Cemevi hosted the Die Linke delegation as part of ongoing efforts to prosecute the Sivas Madımak Massacre suspects living in Germany.

Die Linke MP Ferat Koçak, Berlin State Parliament Neukölln MP candidates Betül Havva Yılmaz and Yurtsever Özdemir attended the visit. They were also accompanied by Barensel Ağca and Selin Özdemir from the TİP Germany organization.

The delegation was welcomed by BAT-Cemevi Second President Kadir Şahin, General Secretary Deniz Yıldırım Caliman, and Women's Council representative Devrim Turan Özdemir.

Legal Process for Sivas Massacre Suspects Discussed

The main agenda item of the meeting was the legal process concerning the suspects of the massacre that took place at the Sivas Madımak Hotel on July 2, 1993, who are currently in Germany.

Kadir Şahin informed the Die Linke delegation about the ongoing efforts to prosecute the suspects living in Germany. Şahin stated that the process is intended to be conducted with a non-partisan approach, without regard to political party distinctions, and conveyed that efforts are being made to bring the issue to the agenda of parliaments.

Şahin also drew attention to the ongoing signature campaign and research into the legal dimensions of the issue. Expressing the view that the Sivas Massacre should be considered a crime against humanity, Şahin stated that the process for prosecuting the suspects is being carried out carefully and on legal grounds.

Initiatives for the prosecution of Sivas Massacre suspects in Germany are not new. In 2019, criminal complaints were also filed with the Federal Public Prosecutor's Office against some suspects living in Germany, and an investigation was requested.

Ferat Koçak: “We are closely following the process”

Die Linke MP Ferat Koçak stated that they are closely following the process concerning the Sivas Massacre suspects and supporting the work in parliament.

Koçak stated that efforts on the issue would continue after the elections.

Berlin State Parliament Neukölln candidates Betül Havva Yılmaz and Yurtsever Özdemir, on the other hand, drew attention to the importance of the Alevi community's work in Berlin. The two candidates stated that if elected, they would continue to bring the issue concerning the Sivas Massacre suspects to the agenda of the Berlin State Parliament and follow the process.

Racism Against Alevis Also on the Agenda

In addition to the Sivas Massacre, the issue of racism against Alevis (Anti-Alevitischer Rassismus) was also discussed at the meeting.

BAT-Cemevi General Secretary Deniz Yıldırım Caliman stated that they have received numerous applications regarding racism against Alevis in recent years, and expressed their desire for the issue to be brought to the agenda of the Berlin State Parliament more comprehensively.

Ferhat Koçak also stated that he could contribute to research and information dissemination efforts on the issue, and said that the issue of anti-Alevi racism could also be included in a meeting on racism to be held after the elections.

BAT-Cemevi's Work Introduced

After the meeting, Kadir Şahin informed the Die Linke delegation about BAT-Cemevi's history, establishment process, and ongoing activities. The delegation was also introduced to the cemevi's worship and activity areas.

The parties exchanged views on carrying out joint projects and new initiatives in the coming period. The visit reportedly concluded with discussions on continuing mutual contacts.

At the end of the meeting, Kadir Şahin and Deniz Yıldırım Caliman extended their best wishes for success to Betül Havva Yılmaz and Yurtsever Özdemir in the Berlin State Parliament elections on September 20, 2026.

Regarding the latest legal developments in Turkey concerning the Sivas Massacre, the Constitutional Court had ruled in July 2026 that the procedural aspect of the right to life had been violated.