Erdoğan: Those who think of aiding Kandil will pay for it

Speaking during an iftar event organized for leading figures from the southeast and east as well as NGO representatives and academics at his gargantuan presidential palace in Ankara on June 23, Erdoğan vowed that the state would “follow all related matters in a very sensitive way” and would “make them pay the necessary costs,” in reference to HDP municipalities.

“Concerning the money received, they are thinking about ‘how can I take this to the mountain, to Kandil?’ but these are their good days, let me say it,” Erdoğan added.  

“They should know that those who have weapons in their hands will find our security forces against them. Any politician, mayor or NGO member who backs those taking lives with their weapons will find our executive units, prosecutors and judges against them. Those who try to market the same lies abroad will find our diplomats and NGOs working on these issues against them. No sphere will be left empty, no slander will be left without response, no lies will be hid away from the light to the truth,” said Erdoğan, adding that there were currently around 600 “martyrs” but around 8,000 “neutralized terrorists” – a euphemism generally used by the Turkish state to denote killed militants. 

“As of now, our corresponding minister friends, have begun infrastructure works in all districts and the province,” Erdoğan said referring to 11 districts and one province affected by clashes between security forces and PKK militants since they began in July 2015.

Erdoğan also said those who “carry weapons to the terrorist organization in the trunk of their car cannot be deputies in this country.”

“Those disguised as politicians and are under the organization’s orders will soon be brought before the law and pay the price,” said Erdoğan.