Former intel chief ‘abducted from seraglio’: Turkish main opposition

ANKARA

CHP Spokesperson Haluk Koç. AA Photo

The production currently on Turkey’s political stage is “Fidan’s Abduction from the Seraglio,” main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Spokesperson Haluk Koç has said, referring to the resignation of former intelligence chief Hakan Fidan and suggesting that President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is being left isolated by his own men.

“Well done Ahmet Bey, you should continue this way. We can see that Mr. Davutoğlu is slowly warming himself up in his capacity as the prime minister. They have begun to live exactly the Byzantine period, despite always talking about the Ottoman era … What is Byzantium famous for? Its intrigues” Koç said in a press conference on Feb. 12.

“The cards in the [ruling Justice and Development Party] AKP are being reshuffled. The political game is being rebuilt,” he added, speaking of the apparent recent difference of views between Erdoğan and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu over Fidan’s decision to run for parliament.

“There is an organism that is being isolated. There is an organism being told to mind its own business. Underneath, that person’s vicinity is being emptied and abandoned,” Koç added cryptically, before apparently referring more directly to President Erdoğan.

“No matter how often you define yourself as ‘reis’ [leader], you are disabled by corruption. Everyone is trying to run away from you,” he said.