Calling on citizens to streets does not bring benefit to main opposition, country: Erdoğan tells CHP

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan on June 17 said main opposition Republican People's Party's (CHP) justice march would not bring any benefit to themselves or the country, warning the party of potential legal proceedings.

"Calling on citizens to take to the streets disregarding the constitution is never for the benefit of themselves or the country," Erdoğan said speaking at the Turkish Exporters Assembly (TİM) general session.
"Wandering around with 'justice' placards does not bring justice. If you want to seek justice, then the place in Turkey to find justice is the parliament," he added.

The president also noted that the article on judicial independence was binding for everyone and warned the main opposition about being an "element of oppression."

"If we and our NGOs do not respect the separation of powers, we can get nowhere and if you have something to say on that issue you can say it. But if you attempt to be an element of oppression, do not forget that the 138th article (judicial independence) do not only work for politicians but for everyone from A to Z. Do not be surprised if the judiciary invites you to somewhere too," Erdoğan said.

CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu commenced a march from Ankara to Istanbul on June 15 in protest at the arrest of CHP deputy Enis Berberoğlu who was sentenced 25 years in prison for "leaking state secrets" in the case into weapons-loaded Syria-bound trucks of the National Intelligence Agency (MİT).

Kılıçdaroğlu is set to march over 24 days to Istanbul, a distance of around 450 km, to the city's Maltepe Prison where Berberoğlu was taken. He will walk during the days and stop at locations on the way.