Kılıçdaroğlu accuses Russia of meddling in Turkey's elections

Click to read the article in Turkish / Kurdish

Presidential hopeful Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has accused Russia of meddling in Turkey's elections.

In a tweet late yesterday, he said, "Dear Russian friends, you are the ones behind the fabrications, plots, deep fake content, and tapes that have been exposed in this country. 

"If you want our friendship to continue after May 15, keep your hands off the state of the Turk. We still support collaboration and friendship."

He shared the tweet in both Turkish and Russian. Kılıçdaroğlu's comments followed social media posts claiming that the ruling party coerced Muharrem İnce, the leader of the Homeland Party and a presidential candidate, into running to siphon votes from Kılıçdaroğlu, allegedly by blackmailing him with sex tapes.

İnce, who ran for president in 2018 as the candidate of Kılıçdaroğlu's Republican People's Party (CHP), announced his withdrawal from the race yesterday. Although his name will still appear on the ballot, he resigned after the candidate list was finalized.

On Sunday, Turkey will hold presidential and parliamentary elections. While most polls indicate that Kılıçdaroğlu holds a slight lead over President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, it's likely that a runoff will occur since neither candidate is projected to secure 50% plus one vote, which is required to win the presidency.

Дорогие русские друзья,
Вы стоите за монтажами, заговорами, контентом Deep Fake и записями, которые вчера были разоблачены в этой стране. Если вы хотите продолжения нашей дружбы после 15 мая, держите руки подальше от турецкого государства. Мы по-прежнему выступаем за…

— Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu (@kilicdarogluk) May 11, 2023

(AEK/VK)