“I strongly condemn yesterday’s terrorist attack on a court house in Istanbul. I extend my condolences to the family of Prosecutor Mehmet Selim Kiraz and to the people of Turkey.
Yesterday‘s hostage crisis in which prosecutor Kiraz and two attackers were killed demonstrates the immense threat of extremism which Turkey and many European states are facing today.
Extremists, whether political or religious, attempt to destabilize our democratic societies. We must be united in fighting terrorism and united in fighting its causes. Our response must respect human rights and the rule of law. Member states of the Council of Europe are already co-operating to combat extremism and terrorism and this effort needs to be intensified.”, said Secretary General Thorbjørn Jagland.