Attacks targeting political leaders is a possibility after coup defeat, says deputy PM

ISTANBUL

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There is a possibility of attacks targeting Turkey’s politicians, Turkish Deputy Prime Minister Numan Kurtulmuş has said, adding it was not likely to expect pro-coup officers to step aside from their objectives after their defeat on July 15. 

Getting together with a group of journalists in Istanbul on Aug. 29, Kurtulmuş was asked about the possibility of political assassinations, an issue which surfaced after main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu survived an attack by outlawed Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) militants last week during his tour in the Black Sea province of Artvin. 

In response, Kurtulmuş said, “There are still some army members on the loose, police officers who were previously released or on the run. When you put together some developments, I think that they would not step aside just because they were defeated after a coup attempt that they had prepared for so long. They may want to carry out some attacks either by themselves or through any terrorist organization. Yes, there is such a possibility.”  

Upon another question, Kurtulmuş said the government did not have any information regarding the Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ) having a “Plan B” and they were known to have acted on “absolute success” in the coup attempt. Kurtulmuş also said there have not been any suspects detained so far over the attack on Kılıçdaroğlu.