MHP says opposition 'entering dangerous waters,' journalists critical of it 'internal enemies'

İsmet Büyükataman (Photo: AA/File)

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The Nationalist Movement Party (MHP), an ally of the government, has responded to opposition parties in a week-long debate after two journalists and a politician were assaulted in front of their homes in Ankara, the capital.

"They are entering into dangerous waters," said MHP Secretary-General İsmet Büyükataman, referring to a joint press conference by Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the chair of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), and Ahmet Davutoğlu, a former prime minister and the chair of the Future Party, a member of which was attacked on January 15.

Both leaders criticized MHP Chair Devlet Bahçeli for remaining silent against the attacks and threatening journalists critical of them.

"Those who don't have the face to go out criticizing our leader is a deep contradiction," Büyükataman said.

He also said that media outlets who reported Bahçeli's remarks as "threats" are "internal enemies" and it is not possible to describe what they do as freedom of the press.

"Wherever there are the fans of marginal organizations in the disguise of journalists, wherever a fan of terror and separatism is seen, they have all come together, casting aspersions on the MHP," Bahçeli said on Monday (January 18). "No worries or concerns... We will be strong enough to face all of them, we will ruin their plots with belief." 

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(DŞ/VK)