Kılıçdaroğlu says won't be intimidated by pro-Erdoğan 'paramilitary groups'

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Presidential candidate Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has released a video on his social media accounts in which he accused pro-government "paramilitary groups" of trying to intimidate him with threats.

In the video, Kılıçdaroğlu claimed that the groups are part of a larger scheme involving the theft of billions of dollars from the Turkish people by the current government.

"These paramilitary remnants are only a small part of a larger picture. Actually, there is only one thing at the root of everything. Money, lots of money, money they will never be satisfied with", he remarked.

The said groups, whose existence have neither been confirmed nor denied, have been a source of concern for opposition politicians, who fear that they may be used to create chaos if President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan loses Sunday's elections.

Kılıçdaroğlu previously warned his supporters against taking to the streets on election night to celebrate his win, in anticipation of potential violence.

"Theft of billions of dollars"

Kılıçdaroğlu also accused the current government of being complicit in the theft of billions of dollars from the people by criminal gangs.

"During this government's term, these gangs stole from the people. The mafia, drug barons, and other criminal groups stole 418 billion dollars," he said.

The opposition candidate went on to warn the armed groups that he would not be intimidated, saying, "You fools, you scoundrels, you idiots, you wretches, you jackals. Do you think you can scare me? I would rather die standing than live on my knees before you."

Kılıçdaroğlu's video comes in the wake of comments made by Erdoğan, who has accused the opposition candidate of being supported by terrorists.

In a speech in early May, Erdoğan warned that his "nation will not hand over the power to you if you are elected by the support of terrorists," addressing Kılıçdaroğlu. The reference to terrorists was believed to be aimed at the Kurdish issue-focused Green Left Party.

The election on Sunday is expected to be a close race between Kılıçdaroğlu, candidate of the Nation's Alliance, and Erdoğan, with tensions running high in the lead up to the polls.

Bay Kemal çıktığı yoldan asla dönmez. Milletimiz için, milletimizle birlikte. Allah yardımcımız olsun. pic.twitter.com/naG0dI2bVI

— Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu (@kilicdarogluk) May 12, 2023

(AÖ/VK)