UPDATES WITH FURTHER COMMENT FROM SPOKESMAN
By Mehmet Tosun, Sarp Ozer and Baris Gundogan
ANKARA (AA) – Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development (AK) Party on Thursday accused the main opposition leader of “lies” over his claims about the finances of the president and his circle.
Party spokesman Mahir Unal said Kemal Kilicdaroglu, head of the Republican People’s Party (CHP), should not sully politics with “lies, claims and some unknown documents”.
On Tuesday, Kilicdaroglu, in a speech to party lawmakers, presented documents he claimed were evidence of his claims that relatives of Erdogan had money abroad.
Erdogan rejected the allegations and vowed to resign if they could be proved.
Speaking to reporters in Ankara, Unal called on Kilicdaroglu to present the documents in court to prove the claims.
“He must not keep the Turkish parliament busy with an issue like this,” he said.
“Other than the Turkish parliament, he should not engage the Turkish political agenda with his lies, claims and some unknown documents, which he does not even share with his own party members.”
Unal also commented on the sanctions-busting case against former Turkish banker Mehmet Hakan Atilla in the U.S.
Atilla and seven others are being prosecuted over their alleged participation in violating sanctions against Iran; Atilla was arrested in the U.S. earlier this year on similar sanctions violations charges. Only Atilla has appeared in court, with the others being tried in absentia.
Turkish businessman Riza Sarraf, who was arrested over his involvement when he visited the U.S. in March last year, is giving evidence for the prosecution.
“I want to make a call to all our citizens and to public opinion,” Unal said. “This nation is aware of the game that is being played. Therefore, we will not allow Turkey to be taken a hostage over a man taken hostage.”
Turkish officials have said Sarraf is being used as a tool to damage Turkey politically and economically in a conspiracy involving the supporters of the Fetullah Terrorist Organization, which organized last year’s coup attempt in Turkey.
