HDP MP says he received intelligence on assassination plans against Turkish citizens in Europe

ANKARA

Kurdish issue-focused opposition Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) lawmaker Garo Paylan has said he received intelligence about assassination plans targeting Turkish citizens living in Europe, especially Germany.

“I received intelligence last week over plans of assassination or a chain of assassinations targeting our citizens living in Europe, particularly those in Germany; an information that I have verified from multiple sources,” he said during a press meeting in parliament on Dec. 20.

The raw intelligence points to three assassins in action, he added.

“This Turkey-based structure mobilized certain assassins for these assassinations,” he said, adding that several European countries have taken the tips seriously and their intelligence services have provided security for the individuals and groups under threat.

“Thousands of academics, journalists, politicians and opinion leaders have been forced to leave to Europe particularly because of the latest oppressive policies of the AKP [ruling Justice and Development Party],” said Paylan.

“These journalists and academics have been labeled as ‘traitors’ by the government, the president and the media. Such discourse in politics unfortunately trigger action by certain groups,” he stressed.

Paylan also said the plotters have a list of assassinations in their hands.

The lawmaker added that he has informed the Turkish intelligence, the police and relevant ministers about the tip.