Interior Minister Soylu targets yet another Turkish newspaper

Duvar English 

Turkish Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu has targeted the daily Cumhuriyet over a report on his past contradictory statements, saying that the newspaper will answer in court. 

Soylu has previously targeted and even threatened journalists and newspapers, most recently dailies Karar and Sözcü. 

Cumhuriyet's report on May 10 reminded readers that Soylu didn't act against mafia leader Sedat Peker, who has been revealing alleged deep state schemes and cover-ups in recent videos, in the past. 

The report came after Soylu slammed main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu for saying that the minister just watches mob boss' claims of crime at the hands of the state. 

"Your history is one of deep, dirty and shady relations," Soylu said in a tweet on May 11, while also accusing the daily of "getting revenge" for the Kurdistan Workers' Party (PKK) and acting upon the "nonsensical words of a mafia scum." 

"Turkey is not what it used to be. You'll answer in court," the minister also said. 

Peker has been on Turkey's agenda for the past two weeks after he started sharing videos that include serious allegations against government officials, including one on ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) deputy Tolga Ağar, who, according to the mafia leader, killed a woman and covered it up. 

Following the government's silence on Peker's claims, Kılıçdaroğlu criticized officials for just watching the debate around the allegations. 

Soylu, in return, slammed Kılıçdaroğlu for "doing politics based on an organized crime leader's slanders and accusations against security forces." 

"I'll tell you about what we did to the mafia and how we brought them down if you want to know," Soylu said on May 9, although Peker roamed free with impunity during his time in Turkey. 

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