ISTANBUL
Anybody -- including the main opposition leader -- who takes to the streets with Molotov cocktails or dons a mask will have to answer for it, Turkish Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoglu said Sunday.
The premier's comments came during the ruling AK Party's fifth regular provincial congress in Istanbul.
“People are free to demonstrate and express their opinions as long as they obey the law. However, anybody who takes to the streets with Molotov cocktails or dons a mask after the new security law is enacted -- including [CHP leader Kemal] Kilicdaroglu -- will answer for it," he said.
Davutoglu's comments were in reaction to Kilicdaroglu’s call Tuesday on his party members to “use their right to resist this security bill," and his remarks that he would “take the lead if people took to the streets with Molotovs in their hands, and create chaos if need be.”
The internal affairs commission of the Turkish parliament approved on Jan. 22 a draft security law that enhances the powers of law-enforcement officers and modifies domestic security procedures.
The proposed legislation -- discussions on which are expected to start in parliament next week -- outlaws possession of fireworks, Molotov cocktails and slingshots during protests. Protesters who cover their faces in demonstrations that take a pro-terrorism tone can now face imprisonment for up to five years.
"We have all seen what could happen when securities are not ensured, just like in Syria and Iraq," Davutoglu said, adding that his government would not allow chaos to break out in the country, or “yield to chaos merchants.”
Davutoglu also blamed U.S.-based preacher Fethullah Gulen over his Feb. 3 article on The New York Times.
"The leader of the parallel gang complains to Washington, Europe and the whole world about the Turkish government," he said, referring to Gulen's article. Davutoglu also accused Gulen of calling for cooperation with opposition parties against the government.
"He is sending a message to CHP, MHP and HDP, calling on them ‘to collaborate with me to get rid of this government’, Davutoglu said.
The Pennsylvania-based preacher and his so-called Hizmet movement is accused of forming a criminal gang -- popularly referred to as "the parallel state" -- within Turkey's key institutions, including the judiciary and the police, in an attempt to undermine the Turkish government. Gulen and the movement deny all charges against them.
