Turkish Prime Minister Erdogan, still smarting from sharp criticism directed at him by the head of the Constitutional Court, Hasim Kilic, three days ago, has indirectly accused the judge of being either part of what he calls “the parallel structure” or of defending it in order to further his own political ambitions.
“I said it yesterday and I repeat it today: They [the parallel structure] listened to the head and the members of the Constitutional Court. I think some people will understand what I mean,” Erdogan said an AK party rally in Kayseri on 27th April.
On 25th April, senior judge Hasim Kilic, delivered a speech which was highly critical of the government for tampering with judicial independence and of accusing judges and prosecutors of trying to undermine the government.
Kilic urged the government to document all its claims against injustice and take all necessary steps against those involved in illegal activities, but to give up his massive offensive against the entire judicial system.
“Those who ask us to document or ask where this parallel structure is: are these eavesdropping cases not the document to you? Those who ask this question are either part of parallel [structure] or protecting this structure to get something in return,” Erdogan said without directly referring to Kilic.
The “parallel structure” or “parallel state” are terms used by government members to describe the pro-Fethullah Gulen community members within the justice system and police who are believed to have been behind the massive corruption and graft investigation against Erdogan and some of his ministers.
The prime minister repeated that his government will continue to fight against the structure by vowing to walk into their den. “But it’s not going to be an overnight issue. We’ll be patient, we’ll do it slowly. We will not tolerate anybody threatening the country’s national security,” Erdogan said.
He recalled the military’s attempt to intervene in the presidential elections seven years ago in a written statement issued on 27th April and emphasised that similar efforts are being made for the upcoming local elections.
“The oppositional parties declare they will appoint candidates. We will do so as well. I am confident that our people will elect our candidate for the presidency at the first leg of the election on August 10,” Erdogan stressed. “The people will elect their leader. The people will elect Turkey’s new president.”
Hurriyet
