Parallel state created by PM himself, says former CHP leader

Former Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal, assessing a large-scale corruption investigation that went public on Dec. 17, said the "parallel state" that Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan has accused the Hizmet movement of creating is in fact Erdoğan's own illegal organization.

Baykal, who is currently a CHP Antalya deputy, spoke at a rally in Aydın, where he evaluated the recent developments in Turkey and shared comments with the public. Baykal mainly discussed Erdoğan, accusing the prime minister of attempting to cover up corruption through inventing campaigns that would divert the public's attention away from corruption.

The former CHP leader further accused Erdoğan of underestimating the intelligence of the public. “Erdoğan keeps telling lies to the public, but he is deluded in thinking that the public is convinced his lies are true,” Baykal said.

He also touched on the reassignments that have taken place in the judiciary and at police departments across the country after the corruption scandal broke out. He deemed these as an attempt by Erdoğan to cover up the corruption investigation as well.

Since the investigation began, in addition to thousands of police officers, the government replaced the prosecutors who initiated the probe as well as others at public prosecutors' offices and state institutions. The reassignments have been seen as government attempts to block the major corruption investigation and any potential future probes as well.

Over 8,000 police officers from across the country have been reassigned since December of last year in an extensive transformation of the police force.

Baykal said: “Every country can face a corruption scandal. This is normal. But what is not normal about this government is that they are removing the ones conducting the investigation instead of supporting them to reveal the truth.”

“The prime minister says there is no corruption but a ‘parallel state.' What I believe is, yes, there is a 'parallel state.' But that was formed illegally by the prime minister himself,” Baykal said.

Highlighting Erdoğan's subversive language, Baykal says it not only divides the public but also incites hatred and animosity amongst the public. He accused the prime minister of setting a trap against society and suggested that it should be warned against the possible dangers created by Erdoğan.

Published on Today's Zaman, 18 March 2014, Tuesday