CHP spokesperson slams minister over terror accusations

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) spokesperson Selin Sayek Böke has slammed Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu for accusing CHP lawmakers of supporting terror, describing his comments as "an example of great irresponsibility."

"Those who have inflicted three different terrorist organizations on Turkey have no right to associate the CHP with terrorism," Böke said after her party's central executive board meeting on Feb. 27.

"The interior minister gave an incredible example of irresponsibility. If people currently trying to carrying out the 'no' referendum campaign under state of emergency conditions are under threat of attack, the reason is the atmosphere [the government] has created," she added, referring to campaigning ahead of the referendum on shifting Turkey to an executive presidential system.

Her comments came after Soylu criticized CHP Istanbul deputy Sezgin Tanrıkulu for arguing against the ongoing military operations in the Koruköy district of the southeastern province of Mardin.

Tanrıkulu shared a picture of an elderly man said to have been injured in the operation on his official Twitter account, demanding to know the authenticity of the picture.

Soylu stated that the ongoing operation is within the legal limits of the fight against terror, slamming Tanrıkulu and the CHP for "abetting terrorism."

"Here I have a call to Kılıçdaroğlu. It is very clear: Do not allow these PKK sympathizers in your party. This nation asks you to account for it," Soylu said on Feb. 26.

Böke responded angrily to Soylu's comments a day later.

"The main duty of an interior minister is not to ask an account for terror trouble but to give an account for it; not to blame lawmakers but to protect them,"...