Turkish leader hits out at 'controlled coup' claim

By Burcu Arik

ANKARA (AA) - President Recep Tayyip Erdogan lashed out on Wednesday at the leader of Turkey’s main opposition party over his claim the government knew about last July’s coup attempt in advance but failed to stop it.

Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu on Monday described the July 15, 2016 events as a "controlled coup".

However, Erdogan hit back on Wednesday, while addressing a large rally of Turkish village and neighborhood heads (mukhtars) at the presidential complex in Ankara.

"Look at this statement: 'July 15 was a controlled coup, says Kilicdaroglu',” Erdogan said.

“How dare you insult our martyrs," the president added, calling on Kilicdaroglu to prove his claims.

"If you have any personal dignity, show yourself and prove it. I have never been deceived in politics nor would I deceive someone," Erdogan said.

According to the Turkish government, the Fetullah Terrorist Organization and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 2016, which left 249 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

Ankara has also said FETO is behind a long-running campaign to overthrow the state through the infiltration of Turkish institutions, particularly the military, police and judiciary.

In wake of the putsch attempt, tens of thousands of FETO suspects have been arrested, including many in the armed forces, police, judicial system, education and business sectors.