Zekeriya Yapıcıoğlu, Chairman of the Free Cause Party (HÜDA PAR), visited the family of Sacid Pişgin, the party’s Adana Provincial Secretary who was killed in a violent attack at the party’s headquarters on July 22, 2023.

The visit followed a significant court ruling in the case, marking a moment of solidarity and remembrance for the martyred official.

Yapıcıoğlu met with Pişgin’s widow and children, offering heartfelt condolences and pledging ongoing support. “I am now the grandfather of these children. We will always stand by them,” he said, emphasizing the party’s commitment to the family. In a touching gesture, he presented gifts to Pişgin’s young children, Ömer and Nur, symbolizing the party’s enduring bond with the family. The family expressed deep appreciation for Yapıcıoğlu’s visit and his steadfast support throughout the legal process.

Accompanying Yapıcıoğlu were HÜDA PAR Deputy Chairman Hüseyin Yılmaz, Mediterranean Regional Coordinator Salih Demir, Adana Provincial Chairman Fethullah Beyazçiçek, and other party members, reflecting the party’s collective resolve to honor Pişgin’s memory.

Court Delivers Life Sentence for Pişgin’s Killer

The visit coincided with the Adana 14th High Criminal Court’s final verdict in the trial of Ali Sever, the perpetrator of the attack. Sever, who stabbed Pişgin to death during prayer at the HÜDA PAR office, was sentenced to life imprisonment for intentional murder. He also received an 11-year sentence for the attempted murder of then-Provincial Chairman Salih Demir, who was seriously injured, and an additional 12 months for violating the premises.

Sever, aged 73, participated in the trial via SEGBİS from prison. The court rejected claims of mental instability, affirming his full criminal responsibility based on medical reports. Yapıcıoğlu, speaking after the verdict, described the sentence as “heavy but insufficient,” asserting that the attack was politically motivated. “The killer tried to feign insanity from the start, but his intent was clear,” he told reporters, underscoring the targeted nature of the crime.

A Tragic Attack and Its Aftermath

The July 2023 attack sent shockwaves through Türkiye’s political landscape, drawing widespread condemnation as an assault on both religious practice and political engagement. Pişgin was killed and Demir gravely wounded while praying in the party’s Seyhan district office. The incident, captured on security footage, highlighted the brutality of the assault and prompted calls for justice from across the political spectrum, including President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and other senior officials.

HÜDA PAR has consistently framed Pişgin’s death as martyrdom, citing his dedication to the party’s values. The party’s statement following the verdict reiterated this sentiment, quoting the Quran: “Do not say of those who are killed in the way of Allah, ‘They are dead’; rather, they are alive, but you perceive it not.”

The verdict and Yapıcıoğlu’s visit mark a somber milestone for HÜDA PAR and Pişgin’s family, who continue to grapple with their loss. The party’s leadership vowed to uphold Pişgin’s legacy, with Yapıcıoğlu stating, “The martyr’s trust is our trust.” (ILKHA)