Armed Attack in Artvin’s Cankurtaran Area Leaves One Dead and Two Injured

A tragic incident occurred in the Cankurtaran area of Hopa district in Artvin, where a person was killed and two others injured in an armed attack against villagers who were trying to prevent construction equipment from entering the forest for a planned recreation area project.

The villagers, who had organized through the Agricultural Development Cooperative Çifteköprü, were attempting to stop the cutting of trees in the forested area on September 3. Their efforts were met with violence when a person from the logging company opened fire on the villagers who wanted to stop the construction machinery.

Reşit Kibar, Ersan Koyuncu, and Gökhan Koyuncu were injured during the attack. Unfortunately, Kibar, who was seriously wounded, died at the hospital despite receiving medical treatment.

The villagers had been opposing a bungalow project of 15-20 houses, claiming that a stone quarry would actually be built and that the project was not aimed at tourism. Their concerns were dismissed, leading to the violent confrontation.

A worker from the Ustabaş company, who had undertaken the felling of trees for the project, was identified as the person who fired the shots. Muhammet Ustabaş is currently being sought by authorities, and the clearing of the forest has been stopped.

The incident highlights the need for peaceful resolution of conflicts and the importance of listening to the concerns of local communities.