MHP leader voices support for arrests of HDP deputies

By Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA

The leader of the opposition Nationalist Movement Party has voiced support for the arrests of Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) deputies.

At his party's parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday, Devlet Bahceli made clear his party's position on the arrest of HDP deputies.

"The fundamental duty of the state is to bring people who say 'I do not recognize the law’ to justice," said Bahceli.

"Qandil's law is not valid here, but Turkey's law is," stressed Bahceli referring to the Qandil Mountains in northeastern Iraq where the terrorist organization PKK is known to have camps and its headquarters.

"Nobody should forget […] that the betrayal to Turkey has never gone unpunished," said Bahceli.

Since last Friday, a total of 10 HDP lawmakers, including co-chairs Selahattin Demirtas and Figen Yuksekdag, were remanded in custody for failing to answer public prosecutors’ summons concerning an ongoing counter-terrorism probe.

Diyarbakir deputies Ziya Pir and Imam Tascier, and Ankara Deputy Sirri Sureyya Onder were released under judicial control.

"Being elected does not give the right to aid and abet in a crime," said Bahceli adding that those who wanted to topple the constitutional order could not be forgiven.

Bahceli also criticized the main opposition Republican People’s Party's (CHP) position on the arrests.

"Considering this as an occasion of mourning by the CHP is not reciprocated in the nation's conscience," he said.

The CHP has said the arrests were “against the constitution”.

Bahceli also addressed the HDP's suspension of its parliamentary activities.

"The Turkish Grand National Assembly is on duty. Nobody goes into mourning for the decision of terror's stooges,” he said.

HDP, on Sunday, announced the suspension of its parliamentary activities following the arrests.

The government has accused the HDP of links to the PKK, which is listed as a terrorist organization by Turkey, the U.S., and EU.