President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on Sunday continued targeting main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, hinting that he should be busy dealing with “documents” about himself, the state run Anadolu news agency reported.
“He was exerting efforts to create trouble during the special session [of the Turkish Parliament dedicated to the anniversary of a failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016]. In fact you would better served by spending more time clearing up ‘documents’ about yourself instead,” Erdoğan said without elaborating, during a speech in Ankara following the inauguration of a monument honoring the 249 people who were killed during last year’s failed coup.
Enraged at Kılıçdaroğlu calling the July 15,coup attempt a “controlled coup” and organizing a “March for Justice,” President Erdoğan on Saturday called him a “coward” for his behavior on the night of the failed coup while speaking to thousands of people at the July 15 Martyrs’ Bridge on the anniversary of the failed coup attempt.
“Some insistently say ‘controlled coup.’ They try to defame the glorious resistance of our nation. This is impudence, this is immorality,” said Erdoğan.
Addressing Parliament during a special session on Saturday to commemorate the first anniversary of the botched coup, CHP leader Kılıçdaroğlu questioned the failure of the army and intelligence chiefs to testify to the legislature’s Coup Investigation Commission.
Criticizing the written testimonies submitted by National Intelligence Organization (MİT) Undersecretary Hakan Fidan and Chief of General Staff Gen. Hulusi Akar, the main opposition leader said it is not acceptable for them not to testify in person.
“On whose order were they prevented from testifying to the commission? On what grounds?” Kılıçdaroğlu asked during the session in which all party leaders addressed the General Assembly.
Erdoğan also targeted veteran Kurdish politician and former mayor of Mardin Ahmet Türk, who was released from prison due to health problems, criticizing his participation in the 25-day March for Justice that was recently organized by CHP leader Kılıçdaroğlu to protest the arrest of CHP Deputy Enis Berberoğlu.
“They aren’t sick. It’s all a lie.”
Protesting the European Union for not accepting Turkey as a member despite a 54-year-long accession process, Erdoğan said Turkey would do its own work itself.
Erdoğan also reacted to Western critics of the state of emergency in Turkey: “Should we ask George or Hans when making decisions?”