CHP slams PKK over ‘target’ remarks after attack on Kılıçdaroğlu

“There can be no mitigating cause for the attack,” Torun told daily Habertürk, referring to the PKK’s statement that the attack did not target Kılıçdaroğlu’s motorcade but rather security forces in the Şavşat district of the Black Sea province of Artvin.

“Why did clashes erupt in the area that we were in if the target was a military vehicle? Heavy clashes erupted around us that lasted for nearly a half an hour. There can be no mitigating cause for the attack. Soldiers have the same life that Kılıçdaroğlu has,” he added. 

The PKK had released a statement after the attack, saying that the CHP and Kılıçdaroğlu were not targeted. 
Speaking to Habertürk, Torun said the aim of the attack was likely to “create chaos in Turkey.”

“They might have wanted to create chaos in Turkey. We are giving a blank check for terror to end. We are ready to sign any decision regarding this issue and we’ve always said that ... Our entire country is under threat and we’re all worried for our lives,” he said. 

 “It’s very sad for a main opposition leader to face a terrorist act. If they had been successful, it could have led to civil war, God forbid. But we won’t be demoralized and we won’t back down. Our programs will continue just as planned,” Torun added. 

Torun also commented on the CHP’s security precautions regarding its leader, saying there had been “certain rumors” concerning a suicide attack. 

“We didn’t have concrete evidence, but the number of people in the security team was increased to 21 from 12. We also obtained long-barreled weapons from the police for the first time,” he said, adding that the security measures to protect Kılıçdaroğlu will now be increased. 

“We will demand extra measures. Our party leader doesn’t like it very much. In the past he didn’t want an armored vehicle,” Torun said.

CHP leader Kılıçdaroğlu escaped two separate armed attacks staged by PKK militants targeting his party’s motorcade in Artvin’s Şavşat district last week. 

One gendarmerie soldier who was guarding him was killed by the militants while two others were wounded.