23.08.2026 21:01
Following allegations that spread as an 'attack on Kurdish workers' against seasonal agricultural workers in the Alaplı district of Zonguldak, Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek made a statement. Gürlek stated that a judicial investigation has been initiated regarding the incident in Bektaşlı Village, and emphasized that an isolated incident should not be twisted into different meanings and turned into generalizations that would disrupt social peace.
Justice Minister Akın Gürlek made a statement regarding the claims that an attack occurred against seasonal agricultural workers who came to the region from Şırnak for hazelnut harvesting in the Alaplı district of Zonguldak and that the incident turned into a Turkish-Kurdish tension. Gürlek stated that a judicial investigation has been launched to investigate the incident in all its aspects, and called for an isolated incident not to be generalized in a way that would disturb social peace.
“IT IS IMPORTANT THAT AN ISOLATED INCIDENT NOT BE SUBJECTED TO GENERALIZATIONS”
Minister Gürlek announced that a judicial investigation has been launched by the Karadeniz Ereğli Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the incident that occurred between seasonal agricultural workers and citizens living in the village in Bektaşlı Village of Alaplı.
Gürlek, stating that the necessary procedures are being carried out meticulously to shed light on all aspects of the incident, emphasized that the incident should not be interpreted differently and generalized in a way that would harm social peace.
Gürlek called on the public to base their views only on verified information shared by authorized authorities.
“THE PEACE OF EACH OF OUR CITIZENS IS UNDER THE GUARANTEE OF OUR STATE”
In his statement, Justice Minister Gürlek stated that the peace, security, and legal rights of all citizens, including seasonal agricultural workers, are under the guarantee of the state.
Gürlek stated that the judicial authorities will carry out the necessary legal procedures against those responsible for the incident and pointed out that the outcome of the investigation should be awaited.
Minister Gürlek used the following statements in his statement:
Regarding the isolated incident that occurred between our seasonal agricultural workers and citizens residing in the village in Bektaşlı Village, Alaplı district of Zonguldak, a judicial investigation has been initiated by our Karadeniz Ereğli Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. The necessary procedures are being carried out meticulously to shed light on all aspects of the incident.
It is important that an isolated incident is not interpreted differently and subjected to generalizations that would harm our social peace, and that the public relies only on verified information shared by authorized authorities.
The peace, security, and legal protection of each of our citizens, including our seasonal agricultural workers, are under the guarantee of our state. Our judicial authorities will fulfill the requirements of the law regarding those responsible for the incident.
GOVERNORSHIP: DISPUTE BETWEEN TWO FAMILIES
The Zonguldak Governorship also stated in its statement regarding the incident that the events that occurred in Bektaşlı Village on August 21 and 22 arose from an isolated disagreement between a family that came to the region as seasonal agricultural workers and another family residing in the village.
The Governorship announced that no injuries occurred in the events. It was stated that a judicial investigation has been initiated regarding the incident and that measures are being maintained for the peace and security of citizens as well as seasonal agricultural workers in the region.
“TURKISH-KURDISH TENSION” COMMENTS NOT CONFIRMED
After some news and social media posts portrayed the incident as an “attack on Kurdish seasonal agricultural workers” and interpreted it within the framework of ethnic tension, statements from authorized authorities revealed a different picture.
In the Governorship's statement, the incident was defined not as an ethnic conflict or collective attack, but as an isolated disagreement between two families. Minister Gürlek also particularly emphasized that the incident should not be interpreted differently and turned into generalizations that would harm social peace.
INVESTIGATION CONTINUES
The investigation conducted by the Karadeniz Ereğli Chief Public Prosecutor's Office is examining all aspects of the incident. Authorities are drawing attention to the fact that before the investigation is completed, generalizations should not be made based on unverified claims about the incident.