Calls rise for ‘impartial’ probe into Ankara terrorist attack

The global community has condemned twin terrorist bombings in Turkish capital Ankara that claimed the lives of more than 90 peaceful demonstrators.

The Amnesty International issued a statement on Saturday, condemning the bombing, “which appears to have targeted ordinary people exercising their right to demonstrate peacefully,” and called for “a prompt, impartial and thorough investigation and to bring all those responsible for the bombing to justice.”

The United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon also censured “these terrorist acts” and said that he expected the perpetrators to be “swiftly” brought to justice.

He also expressed his “heartfelt condolences to the families of the victims, as well as to the people and the Government of Turkey, and wishes those injured a speedy recovery.”

In a message to Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu, German chancellor Angela Merkel called the attacks “particularly cowardly acts that were aimed directly at civil rights, democracy and peace.”

“I am convinced that the Turkish government and all of Turkish society stand together at this time with a response of unity and democracy to this terror,” she further said.

In a telephone conversation with Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, French president Francois Hollande also offered his condolences and lashed out at the “odious terrorist attack”.

British Prime Minister David Cameron wrote on his twitter account that he had extended his condolences to the Turkish premier and said that his thoughts were “with the victims and their families.”

British Foreign Secretary Philip Hammond also said that he was appalled by the “barbaric attacks” and added that “UK stands with the Turkish people.”

Thorbjørn Jagland, the secretary general of the Council of Europe, condemned “the barbaric attack on peaceful demonstrators,” adding that “freedom of assembly is a fundamental pillar of democracy.”

Condolences and condemnation have flooded into Turkey in the aftermath of Saturday's deadly blasts.

Messages of condemnation for the bombings and solidarity with the Turkish people were also issued by leaders and high-ranking officials from Iran, Russia, US, Malaysia, Canada, Georgia, Serbia, Kuwait, and Greece, among other states.

Meanwhile, around 10,000 people took to the streets in Istanbul blaming Turkish authorities for the deadly attacks. Some of the protesters were carrying placards reading “The state is a killer” and “We know the murderers.”

Twin explosions targeted activists who gathered outside Ankara's main train station for a peace rally organized by leftist pro-Kurdish opposition groups. According to a statement released by Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu's office, at least 95 people were killed and 245 wounded in the attacks, 48 of whom are in critical condition.

Press TV’s website can also be accessed at the following alternate addresses:

www.presstv.ir