Us: Slain Kurdish Lawyer 'Champion For All' Turks

The U.S. on Monday expressed condolences for the death of a prominent Kurdish lawyer whom it said was a crusader for all Turkish people.



"We're deeply saddened by the tragic death of Tahir Elci on Saturday, who was a champion for all Turkish citizens who wished to live in peace and dignity," State Department spokeswoman Elizabeth Trudeau told reporters.



"We urge a quick and transparent investigation to bring the perpetrators of this terrible crime to justice," she added.



Elci, 49, the president of the Diyarbakir Bar Association, was killed in Diyarbakir's Sur district shortly after speaking at a press briefing. One police officer was also killed when gunmen opened fire from a car near the gathering.



A second officer who was injured in the attack, later succumbed to his injuries and died at the hospital.



Elci was buried at Yenikoy Asri Cemetery in Diyarbakir on Sunday with thousands gathering for his funeral.



Trudeau sought to tamp down fears that Elci's killing could heighten domestic tensions in Turkey. "Let's not make this a broader political issue right now. Let's let the investigation move forward, but rest assured we remain in dialogue with Turkey on a range of issues." - Washington DC