Armenian conference protesters target İnönü

The controversial conference on the "Armenians during the Collapse of the Ottoman Empire" began yesterday at Istanbul Bilgi University instead of the original host, Boğaziçi University. The conference had been postponed once before and finally, a court decision was passed to stop Boğaziçi, a state university, from hosting the event. Former PM Prof. Erdal İnönü, who was among the audience, was booed by nationalist and conservative left-wing groups while trying to enter the conference hall. Protesters tried to block İnönü’s way and shouted at him, “Do not join these traitors!” On his leaving the building, İnönü rejected security guards and police forces offered to him and turned down taxis that were hailed for him. “I will be walking to the Taksim Square, and then go home,” said İnönü, “This is my country and I am walking home.”   Eggs and tomatoes were thrown at İnönü, and one egg hit his shoulder.�