‘Parallel state’ discussed at top security meeting

ANKARA

The MGK is chaired by President Abdullah Gül with the participation of the highest ranking military officers and senior government members.

Turkey’s top security board met to discuss the alleged “parallel organization” within the state and its activities, thus identifying the movement of U.S. based Islamic scholar Fethullah Gülen as a potential threat to the national security.

"The structures and their activities that threaten national security and the comfort of our people were discussed [at the meeting],” said the statement issued after the bi-monthly National Security Council (MGK) meeting on Feb. 26. “Measures securing the safety of the local elections were also reviewed,” it added.  

The MGK is chaired by President Abdullah Gül with the participation of the highest ranking military officers and senior government members. Although only an advisory board, it is seen as Turkey’s top security organization. 

The MGK statement seems to indicate that the struggle between the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and what it calls the “parallel structure” has developed into an issue of national security for the government. The move comes just two days after an alleged voice recording between Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and his son Bilal Erdoğan was posted on YouTube. 

Erdoğan has accused the “parallel structure” of fabricating the tape and vowed to fight against it.