CHP leader demands opening parliamentary probe over family assets

ANKARA

Reuters Photo

Turkey’s main opposition leader has introduced a motion to the parliament for the opening of an investigation over the assets of his entire family members, including his daughters, in a reaction to pro-government media’s claims on his daughter’s flat in Istanbul. 

Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, leader of the Republican People’s Party (CHP) signed the motion and introduced it to the parliament in a rare move seen in Turkish politics. The motion followed a pro-government media campaign on CHP’s Ataşehir District Mayor Battal İlgezdi and his wife, Gizem İlgezdi, who was elected to the parliament in the June elections. Media stories claimed İlgezdi owned a number of residences acquired through corruption in the municipality. They also argued one residence was given to Kılıçdaroğlu’s daughter as well, although she denied the claims, adding she bought the house with her own savings and with her father’s support. 

“These news pieces made by certain press institutions constitute licentious attacks against democracy,” Kılıçdaroğlu said in his motion.  Calling such news pieces as examples of indecency, he said these newspapers have behaved unjustly towards numerous people through fabricating fake reports and have passed onto Turkey’s media history as black stain.  

“Kılıçdaroğlu and his family have no penny they cannot account for.  The greatest pride is to be able to give account to the people. I regard this as an honorable duty. This step should set example for everyone in politics,” he said.