Interior Minister Soylu refuses to give information on state-provided personal guards

Duvar English 

Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu has refused to give information on the personal guards provided by the state to various individuals, including those assigned to organized crime leaders. 

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) deputy Zeynel Emre asked Soylu to explain the criteria for assigning or removing guards after it was revealed that the guards of two opposition politicians were removed. 

The debate surrounding state-provided personal guards began when mafia leader Sedat Peker revealed that he had been assigned guards when he was in Turkey. Peker, who is currently being sought by Ankara, said that his guards were given to him by Soylu. 

The controversy ensued after CHP Istanbul chair Canan Kaftancıoğlu was stripped of her personal guards despite being frequently targeted on social media by various groups. 

Most recently, right-wing opposition Good (İYİ) Party Istanbul chair Buğra Kavuncu was punched in Istanbul, after which he revealed that his personal guards had previously been removed without authorities citing a specific reason. 

Emre said that he submitted a parliamentary question for Soylu to answer regarding the state's personal guard policies before the attack on Kavuncu, but that he couldn't receive a response because of "confidentiality."

"Soylu, who assigns guards to organized crime leaders and pro-government columnists, is the main perpetrator of the attack due to removing guards of individuals who represent constitutional institutions and who openly receive threats," Emre said, the daily BirGün reported. 

"I previously brought the personal guards issue to parliament's agenda but couldn't receive a response over 'confidentiality.' It's clear why it was deemed 'confidential' after these attacks," he added. 

The deputy noted that answering his questions would make where security is lacking more clear.

"We wouldn't be surprised if Soylu's picture with the assailant emerges once again," he said, referring to the minister's countless pictures with convicted criminals. 

"We now have no doubt that Soylu is the black box of unlawful practices," Emre added.