Kremlin rejects election interference accusations by Türkiye's opposition presidential candidate

By Anadolu staff

ISTANBUL (AA) - The Kremlin “categorically” rejected Türkiye’s opposition presidential candidate Kemal Kilicdaroglu’s claims that Moscow interfered in Türkiye’s presidential elections, Russian state media reported.

"We immediately stated that we categorically reject the accusations of interference in the Turkish elections. This is out of the question," Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov told TASS news agency late Saturday.

Peskov said Moscow was “extremely disappointed” with the statement of the Turkish opposition, adding that Kilicdaroglu’s accusations “clearly run counter” to the vision of Mustafa Kemal Ataturk, the founder of the Republic of Türkiye, who, he said, was “a staunch supporter of the development of Russian-Turkish relations.”

"The leader of the opposition said that he had evidence (of Russian interference). He still has not presented them. We are sure that he will not be able to do this, because they actually do not exist," the Kremlin spokesman said.

He added that Russia cherishes the “level of relations reached over the past years” with Türkiye and that Moscow “will respect the choice of the Turkish people."

On Thursday, Kilicdaroglu, the leader of the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) and joint candidate for the six-party opposition Nation Alliance, accused Russia of being behind video content allegedly discrediting candidates for the presidency in the May 14 elections.

On Friday, Peskov said there can be no question of any interference of Russia in the Turkish elections, and that "those who spread such rumors are liars."

Millions of voters started heading to the polls in Türkiye early Sunday as the country's presidential and parliamentary elections began at 8 a.m. local time (0500GMT).