UPDATE - Türkiye slams PKK terror demonstrations in Sweden against President Erdogan

ADDS REMARKS OF OPPOSITION GOOD (IYI) PARTY; OTHER CHANGES; REVISES DECK

By Diyar Guldogan

ANKARA (AA) - Both the Turkish government and opposition parties strongly condemned Thursday’s provocative demonstration by PKK/YPG terror group supporters, decrying how it directly targeted the Turkish nation and President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

The condemnations followed a demonstration in the Swedish capital Stockholm Thursday in which supporters of the terrorist group PKK hung in effigy by the feet a figure of Erdogan and then uploaded footage of the provocation along with threats against Türkiye and Erdogan, complete with Turkish subtitles.

Vice President Fuat Oktay "cursed" the demonstration in Sweden by the members of the "treacherous" terrorist group and said he expected Sweden to keep its promises made for NATO membership and not tolerate such provocations.

Presidential spokesman Ibrahim Kalin also condemned the "heinous" act. "We conveyed our reaction and expectation to the Swedish authorities. Taking concrete steps is a requirement of the law and our agreement," Kalin said, referring to an agreement Türkiye signed last June with Sweden and Finland for their NATO membership bids.

In the agreement, the two Nordic nations pledged to take stronger action against terrorist groups which threaten Türkiye, in line with NATO’s principle of collective defense.

Communications Director Fahrettin Altun also said PKK terrorists being able to challenge the Swedish government in the heart of Stockholm is proof that Swedish authorities have yet to take necessary steps against terrorism.

"We condemn in the strongest possible terms the targeting of Türkiye and its democratically elected president by members of the terrorist group PKK in Sweden. We urge Swedish authorities to take necessary steps against terrorist groups without further delay," he added.

The Turkish Foreign Ministry summoned Staffan Herrstrom, the Swedish ambassador in Ankara, to convey the country's condemnation of the demonstration.

"The Ambassador was informed with strong expressions that we strongly condemn and protest this heinous act and demanded that such terrorist acts, which are a clear violation of Sweden's commitments with the tripartite agreement, and which openly threaten our country, should not be allowed," said Turkish diplomatic sources.

Herrstrom was also told that Türkiye expects the perpetrators of the act to be identified, that necessary actions be taken, and that Sweden fulfills its commitments under the tripartite deal signed last year under NATO auspices, the sources added.

- 'This is an attack on all of Türkiye'

Later, Foreign Minister Mevlut Cavusoglu said PKK/YPG supporters have been continuing their terrorist propaganda in Stockholm targeting both Erdogan and Türkiye, adding: "This is not just an attack on our president. It is an attack on all of Türkiye."

Cavusoglu said: "Our ambassador in Stockholm (Yonet Can Tezel) took the necessary initiatives in Stockholm. We emphasized that we condemn this despicable act and (Swedish authorities) being a mere spectator, and that those responsible should be found and punished immediately.”

For his part, National Defense Minister Hulusi Akar also strongly condemned the "heinous" act against Erdogan, saying: "We call on Sweden to take immediate action."

In response to the demonstration, Parliament Speaker Mustafa Sentop canceled the visit to Türkiye of his Swedish counterpart Andreas Norlen, which had been scheduled for Jan. 17.

Ankara prosecutors also opened an investigation into the PKK terrorist group supporters’ provocations targeting Erdogan.

Sweden and Finland formally applied to join NATO in May, abandoning decades of military non-alignment, a decision spurred by Russia's war on Ukraine, which started on Feb. 24.

But Türkiye – a NATO member for more than 70 years – voiced objections, accusing the two countries of tolerating and even supporting terror groups, including the PKK and the Fetullah Terrorist Organization (FETO).

Last June, Türkiye and the two Nordic countries signed a memorandum at a NATO summit to address Ankara's legitimate security concerns, paving the way for their eventual membership in the alliance.

The PKK is listed as a terrorist group by Türkiye, the EU, and the US, and is responsible for the deaths of 40,000 people, including women, children, and infants. The YPG – which also has a presence in Europe, openly sanctioned by several governments – is the terrorist PKK’s Syrian branch.

- 'Treacherous' terrorist group PKK

Türkiye’s main opposition Republican People's Party also condemned the provocations of the PKK supporters.

"We strongly condemn the provocation attempt of the members of the treacherous terrorist group in Sweden against the Republic of Türkiye and the President. We invite the Swedish authorities to fulfill their responsibilities," the party said in a statement.

The opposition Good (IYI) Party also strongly condemned the act.

"We do not see this as just an action against our President. It is not possible for us to accept any action against every actor and identity that is associated with Türkiye," Ismail Tatlioglu, the party's group chair, told Anadolu.

Erhan Usta, the party's group deputy chair, condemned the "heinous" act, saying: "We know very clearly that European countries unfortunately support the PKK terrorist organization directly or indirectly. It is not possible to accept this."

Grand Unity Party (BBP) leader Mustafa Destici condemned the perpetrators of the "outrageous" act, and the Swedish government for condoning it.

"The events have once again confirmed Türkiye's persistence and determination in its fight against terrorism. As long as Sweden supports terrorists, it should not be able to obtain a visa from Türkiye for membership in NATO," Destici said on Twitter.

Onder Aksakal, head of the Democratic Left Party (DSP), said on Twitter: "From this moment on, none of Sweden's demands, either on NATO or on other grounds, can ever be accepted. An all-out attack is systematically underway.”

The Homeland Party also strongly condemned the "heinous attack" on Türkiye and Erdogan by members of the "treacherous" terrorist group in Sweden.

"We demand that Swedish authorities bring those responsible to justice immediately," the party said in a statement.