UPDATE - Turkey's main opposition party denounces US visa move

UPDATED WITH MORE REMARKS BY CHP LEADER

By Emin Avundukluoglu

ANKARA (AA) - The leader of Turkey's main opposition has said that his party did not "approve" of the U.S. move to suspend non-immigrant visa operations in Turkey.

Speaking at the Republican People's Party’s (CHP) parliamentary group meeting on Tuesday, Kemal Kilicdaroglu called the move "definitely not correct" and added, "We never approve it."

"Thousands of students, patients, and businesspeople would go to the U.S., [but] they are all being blocked. Those who have been punished are not the government but the 80 million [Turkish citizens]," he said.

"We think such severe sanctions [should not exist] between strategic allies," he added.

Last week, Turkish national Metin Topuz, confirmed by the U.S. Istanbul Consulate as a local employee, was remanded in custody over terror charges by an Istanbul court. Topuz is suspected to be linked to the Fetullah Terror Organization (FETO).

On Sunday, the U.S. suspended non-immigrant visa operations at all diplomatic facilities in Turkey, saying it was reassessing Ankara's commitment to the security of U.S. facilities and personnel.

Turkey retaliated by suspending non-immigrant visa service in the U.S., citing security concerns.

- CHP supports Idlib operation

Kilicdaroglu also said that his party supports the Turkish army's current operation into Idlib, Syria, which started on Saturday.

"We support our army going to Idlib. The Turkish army should go there and create a de-escalation zone," said Kilicdaroglu.

Kilicdaroglu added that Turkey must secure its future and border. "This is what a big country should do."

The action in Idlib comes after guarantor countries -- Russia, Turkey, and Iran -- agreed to establish de-escalation zones in Syria during a May meeting in the Kazakh capital Astana.

- Case of CHP Deputy Berberoglu

Kilicdaroglu also called for the release of his party's jailed deputy, Enis Berberoglu. "He is absolutely innocent."

"Whoever you are, wherever you are, whatever position you hold, nobody can plot against the CHP," he said.

This June Berberoglu was sentenced to 25 years in prison after being convicted of leaking state secrets.

An appeals court on Monday ordered his retrial but said he should remain in prison pending the new hearing.

Urging his release, Kilicdaroglu said: "We want Enis Berberoglu to perform his duty in the Turkish parliament."

The case has been forwarded to Istanbul’s 14th Heavy Penal Court for review.