By Artur Hakobyan

The mayor of Bayburt (Baberd), Turkey, organized a celebration event marking 94th anniversary of “liberating” Bayburt from the Armenians, and he made a statement containing enmity and hatred toward the Armenians.  

The 21st-century mayor of “democratized” Turkey organized a presentation, at the heart of the city, during which they demonstrated how the Armenians had killed innocent Turks and the “heroic” Turkish soldier had “liberated” Bayburt.

What is more, Mayor Haci Ali Polat, who is a member of Turkish PM Erdogan’s ruling political party, noted in his speech that the enemy must be recognized and avenging youth must be raised.    

But the mayor’s presentation and his statement infuriated leading Turkish journalist, analyst, and chief editor of CNN Turk and Kanal D televisions, Mehmet Ali Birand, who harshly criticized, on live broadcast, the mayor who was spreading hatred. 

“No, Mayor, you are wrong! And furthermore, very wrong! You are growing seeds of hatred. This presentation was a presentation of hatred,” Birand said on live air, not concealing his anger.