No perpetrators found but ‘parallel structure' behind wiretappings, PM argues

Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan asserted on Friday that the ‘parallel structure' is behind the illegal wiretapping of a meeting of high-ranking officials in the Foreign Ministry building, despite the fact that no suspects have been identified in relation to the recording that was leaked in March.

Before his ruling Justice and Development Party (AK Party) Central Decision and Administration Board (MKYK) meeting at party headquarters in Ankara, Erdoğan answered questions raised by journalists.

When asked about the illegal recording of the top level meeting, Erdoğan responded, “It is obvious that the wiretapping is related to the ‘parallel structure' within the state [a reference to members of the faith-based Hizmet movement, inspired by Turkish-Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen]. There is no doubt that the ‘parallel structure' is behind the matter. We just have to find the perpetrators. Those who wiretapped the Prime Ministry earlier will also be revealed soon."

The audio recording released online revealed a conversation between Turkish Foreign Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu and other government officials, about whether or not Turkey should conduct a military incursion into Syria ahead of Turkey's March local elections.

Published on Cihan, 02 May 2014, Friday