Opposition involved in protests against Kurdish deputies - Erdoğan

Groups linked to Turkey’s opposition parties were involved in the Feb. 18 protests against the pro-Kurdish Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) deputies while they were visiting Black Sea province of Sinop, Turkish Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan said today during a party meeting, Hurriyet Daily News reports.

“Groups made up of the CHP (Republican People’s Party) and the MHP [Nationalist Movement Party] are involved there in the provocation,” Erdoğan said. “Now they speak of good wishes and ask the people not to let such things happen. Whether you like them or not, they are deputies of the people. You have to respect a deputy of this country,” Erdoğan said.

Erdoğan accused both the BDP and the MHP of following racist rhetoric, and the CHP of being unclear in its messages. He then targeted the opposition for previous criticism against his government regarding the recent İmralı meetings with the imprisoned leader of the outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) Abdullah Öcalan.