Turkish president: Taking MP hostage is attack on national will

ANKARA / ISTANBUL - Hürriyet Daily News

The kidnapping of opposition deputy Hüseyin Aygün is an offense to the will of the nation, democracy and to the Turkish Parliament, President Abdullah Gül says. DAILY NEWS photo, Emrah GÜREL

President Abdullah Gül yesterday condemned the kidnapping of an opposition lawmaker by the outlawed militants, calling the action an “attack against Turkey’s national will.”

“Undoubtedly it is a harrowing incident and it should be condemned. I condemn [the incident],” said Gül at Istanbul’s Atatürk Airport before his departure for Mecca. “Lawmakers do not only represent their electoral regions, they represent the whole country. This is an offense to the will of the nation, democracy and to our Parliament and a very serious situation.” The president also said he appreciated the political parties’ common stand against the abduction, adding that he hoped the lawmaker would be freed as soon as possible.

Deputy Premier Bülent Arınç said yesterday after a Cabinet meeting that the government hoped Aygün would be released soon, also condemning the kidnapping.