Probe Into CHP’s Tanrıkulu’s Statement on Armed Drones Shooting Civilians

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An investigation has been launched into Republican People's Party (CHP) İstanbul MP Sezgin Tanrıkulu upon his remarks on the armed drones causing the death of one person and injuries of other three in Oğul village in Turkey's eastern province of Hakkari on August 31, 2017.

Tanrıkulu had said the following regarding the armed drones:

"In the past, there used to be the JİTEM (Gendarmerie Intelligence and Anti- Terror Unit), and now there are the armed drones performing the same tasks.

"Such practices do not exist in a state of law but only in war, and a war has certain rules. When you look at their governmental programme, the Government of AKP (Justice and Development Party) came to power in 2002 promising justice, freedom, equality and respect for human rights. And after 15 years, they have turned into the rulership of riot control vehicles, dozers and armed drones".

Following his statement, Tanrıkulu wrote on Twitter:

"An armed drone named BAYRAKTAR has hit civilian citizens and killed [one]. Despite all your villainy, I will continue exposing this incident".

Erdoğan: Where are these civilians then?

Answering to the questions of journalists at the airport ahead of his departure to Kazakhstan today (September 8), President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan commented on Tanrıkulu's statement and said:

"A representative from the main opposition party [CHP] comes forward criticizes armed drones. He says, they shoot civilians. Where are these civilians then? The armed drones shoot terrorists.

"Our armed forces will continue its fight against terrorist organizations. CHP representatives cannot stop this".

Tanrıkulu: Might your attack be out of panic from guilt?

Responding to Erdoğan's remarks, Tanrıkulu wrote on Twitter:

Mr. Erdoğan, I shared here the names of the civilians shot by the armed drone named BAYRAKTAR. Might your attack be out of panic from guilt?

Previously Tanrıkulu had shared 13 postings on Twitter in which he lists the names and gives brief information about the four civilians who were hit by an armed drone in Hakkari and one of whom has lost his life.(EKN/DG)