Alliance for Shared Values statement on the sentencing in the assassination of Russian Ambassador to Turkey
March 11, 2021– On the occasion of the sentencing of real and alleged perpetrators in the assassination of the Russian Ambassador to Turkey, the Alliance for Shared Values shares the original statement and video message by Mr. Fethullah Gülen condemning the attack. Gülen categorically rejected the Turkish government’s claims in 2016 and expressed his condolences for the murdered ambassador. The Hizmet movement has long promoted friendship between Turkey and other countries in the region, including Russia.
In this instance, the Erdogan government again proves it falsely uses Mr. Gülen and the Hizmet movement as its most convenient scapegoat for any and all domestic and international troubles.
For more than 25 years, the Hizmet movement has consistently organized dialogue activities to cultivate friendship among countries, and among Muslims, Christians, and Jews.
Whether it was the assassination of Armenian journalist Hrant Dink, the downing of a Russian Jet, or even assassination of Christian bookstore owners in Malatya, Erdogan repeatedly has made incredible accusations against Gülen sympathizers.
Most troubling, on the fateful night of July 15, 2016, was Erdogan’s blaming Gülen sympathizers for a staged coup attempt even before any investigation took place. The resulting waves of persecution of hundreds of thousands of innocent people continue to this day.
By blaming Mr. Gülen, Erdogan repeatedly tries to substantiate his political labeling of the peaceful Hizmet movement as a criminal network and evades the responsibility of his government or his neo-nationalist allies in these events.
About Alliance for Shared Values
The Alliance for Shared Values (AFSV) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit that serves as a voice for cultural organizations affiliated with Hizmet, a civil society movement inspired by prominent preacher and peace advocate Fethullah Gülen. The Alliance strives to promote peace and social harmony by helping reduce misinformation and false stereotypes about any or all ethnic, cultural and religious communities. To learn more about the Alliance, please visit www.afsv.org.
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Download Statement in PDF.