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Ex-ministers clash over alleged Gülen movement ties
🇹🇷 Turkey /Elections & Politics

Ex-ministers clash over alleged Gülen movement ties

From Cumhuriyet · () Turkish

Translated from Turkish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Context piece
  • Former Turkish ministers Bülent Arınç and Erkan Mumcu are engaged in a public dispute over accusations of collaboration with the Gülen movement.
  • Mumcu accused Arınç and Abdullah Gül of plotting against Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in 2007 with the Gülen movement.
  • Arınç vehemently denied the claims, suggesting Mumcu might be motivated by financial reasons or a desire to tarnish their reputations.

A public spat has erupted between former Turkish ministers Bülent Arınç and Erkan Mumcu, centered on accusations of collaboration with the Fethullah Gülen movement, which Ankara designates as a terrorist organization (FETÖ).

I think the reason behind this move is that Mr. Gül and I are being targeted to be worn down, and that some channels want to use him. Perhaps there could be some financial reasons. Because I can see very well that some people are signaling to certain parties to strengthen their financial situation lately.

— Bülent ArınçArınç speculates on Mumcu's motivations for making accusations.

Erkan Mumcu, who previously served as Minister of National Education and Minister of Culture and Tourism under the AKP government, alleged that Abdullah Gül and Bülent Arınç conspired with FETÖ against President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in 2007. This accusation drew a sharp rebuke from Arınç, the former Speaker of the Grand National Assembly.

I do not want to address him.

— Bülent ArınçArınç states his unwillingness to engage directly with Mumcu.

Arınç dismissed Mumcu's claims, stating he had not communicated with Mumcu for approximately 20 years and did not wish to engage with him. However, he felt compelled to respond due to the direct targeting of himself and Abdullah Gül. Arınç speculated that Mumcu's motives might stem from a desire to tarnish their reputations or potentially financial incentives, noting that "some people are trying to secure their financial situation by signaling to certain parties."

As a matter of fact, Mr. Şamil Tayyar made a good statement with a few tweets in a language he would understand; I thank him very much.

— Bülent ArınçArınç acknowledges another politician's commentary on the dispute.

Arınç recalled Mumcu's political trajectory, including his appointment as Minister of National Education and later Minister of Culture. He also noted Mumcu's surprising resignation from the AKP and subsequent formation of a group within the Motherland Party (ANAP), suggesting it was an unexpected move for someone who had benefited from the AKP's support. Arınç alluded to past discussions about a "military tutelage mentality" seeking to obstruct Erdoğan's successful governance.

He is in a big lie.

— Bülent ArınçArınç directly refutes Mumcu's claims.
About this summary

Originally published by Cumhuriyet in Turkish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

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