Former Turkish president Gül advises gov't to revise security bill

The controversial security bill that has ramped up the tension in Turkish politics in recent weeks should be revised, former President Abdullah Gül has said, advising his former party colleagues to ?correct? some of its articles, especially on the extra authorities granted to the police.

?I want to say this openly: I advise the government, my friends, to revise this [security package]. I believe there need to be some corrections. Common sense is needed. The issues related to security should not be considered related to the conjuncture,? Gül told reporters in Istanbul on Feb. 20.

?I hope my friends will revise this bill. I advise them to make some amendments on it,? he said.

The new powers given to the police are problematic, Gül added, recalling how the police had abused its authority in wiretapping in the recent past.

Toward the end of his presidency, before he was replaced by current President Tayyip Erdo?an, Gül veered from the AKP?s official position on a number of pieces of legislation, particularly those restricting freedom of communication and expression. As the presidency is not currently an executive position, he ended up signing many of them into law even without amendments.

No looming candidacy

Meanwhile, Gül also touched on the issue of whether he would run for parliament in the upcoming general elections scheduled for June. ?It?s too early for this, or at least there is no demand or climate for this,? he said.

?I tried to stay above political parties during my presidency. But I also said I would return to my party. I am the founder of this party and also one of those who started this movement. I also led the reformist works of my party. What does this mean? It means I will support the...