Opposition MHP leader criticizes gov’t over de-naturalization move

ANKARA

Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli has criticized the government’s move to denaturalize 130 people, including U.S.-based Islamic preacher Fethullah Gülen, who is believed to have masterminded the July 2016 coup attempt, stressing that they should remain accountable before Turkish courts. 

“Rushing to denaturalize these traitors is both hasty and illogical. All these people must appear before Turkish justice. They should pay the price for July 15 and their betrayal should be punished,” Bahçeli said on June 6, addressing his party group at parliament. 

His comments came after the Interior Ministry issued a notice for 130 people abroad, who are being investigated on terror charges and crimes against the constitutional order, to be denaturalized unless they return and apply to the relevant institutions in Turkey within a three-month period. 

Gülen, who lives in Pennsylvania, is accused of masterminding the failed July 2016 coup attempt and is in 91st place in the list.

Bahçeli also urged for the ongoing trials on the coup attempt to be finalized in a short period of time, arguing that “the crime is clear, the perpetrator is clear, the betrayal is visible.”

“What is the reason for dragging out court phases, accepting and then rejecting indictments, and carrying out hearings that have caused public indignation,” he said. 

The MHP head also blasted the top suspects who have denied all accusations in their testimony in the hearings of the case into the events that took place on the night of July 15, 2016. 

“The important thing is not what the FETÖ [Fethullahist Terrorist Organization] members said. It is what and when Turkish justice will give the absolute and certain ruling,” Bahçeli said. 

“To hit FETÖ members with the iron fist of justice is an obligation and a national requirement,” he added.