WordBulletin

World Bulletin / News Desk

A statement from the National Intelligence Organization (MİT) has denied claims by Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, the leader of the Republican People's Party (CHP), that MİT has been wiretapping him, his family members and some deputies from his party.

The statement reads: “The claims voiced by CHP leader and party spokesman, alleging that the CHP leader, his family and some deputies [from the CHP] have been subjected to wiretapping and technical surveillance by MİT do not reflect reality. Moreover, considering that MİT's duties are determined by law, the alleged acts are not among the duties of the organization.”

Kılıçdaroğlu told a Turkish newspaper on Tuesday: “I have been receiving tips about technical surveillance [by MİT]. Telephone conversations had by me, my wife and my children are being wiretapped. We are also being followed. This is not something I am saying for the first time. I talked about it before, too.”

An quick response to MİT came from Kılıçdaroğlu on Wednesday afternoon, saying that he was not surprised by the statement. “What can they say? Can they say that they are wiretapping me? They can't, because it is illegal.” However, he noted that he is not going to resort to legal proceedings.