From Erdoğan to CHP: We Have to Give Them Necessary Lesson at Judiciary

* Photograph: Elçin Top / Ankara - AA

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President and Justice and Development Party (AKP) Chair Recep Tayyip Erdoğan spoke at the group meeting of his party today (December 25).

In his speech, Erdoğan referred to a series of issues including Syria, local elections and main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP).

Especially the statements of CHP Group Deputy Chairperson Özgür Özel were addressed by Erdoğan.

Attending the discussion program "Culture of Politics with Serhan Asker" aired on Halk TV channel, Özel said, "That chief of general staff... One day, we saw that he took off his uniform and became a minister who is a party member. He does not wear that uniform, but still wants to have its immunity. In a democracy, chiefs of general staff should also be questioned. It is, of course, the duty of ours to tell him 'Know your place'."

"First compensation, then sentence..."

In response to the statements of Özgür Özel, President Erdoğan said that the main opposition party CHP will be put on trial:

"Opposition cannot be made with a quarrelsome spirit. And especially the insults to our Minister of National Defense are hard to swallow. We cannot give an answer to them by using the same remarks, we do not dare it.

"They walk side by side with the terrorist organization, speak in its language if need be, they attack this country, this nation by using its language.

"They sometimes go to prison to visit the leaders of terrorists. The main opposition party, which uses every opportunity to whitewash the supporters of separatists, is the biggest obstacle in the way of our nation.

"They went so far as to impertinently attack the minister of national defense of our cabinet in this way.

"We have to give them the necessary lesson at the judiciary; in fact, we will do it. First, compensation; then, sentence..."

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In his speech, Erdoğan also stated that the party will announce its İstanbul Metropolitan Mayor candidate on December 29. (PT/SD)