Turkey slams criticism on July 15 court proceeding

By Aynur Ekiz, Kemal Karadag and Baris Gundogan

ANKARA (AA) - Presidential spokesman Wednesday accused European organizations and press members of being biased over the judicial proceeding on July 15 defeated coup in Turkey.

"Those who say that there are problems with the rule of law in Turkey should come and observe the court proceeding regarding cases of July 15 defeated coup," Ibrahim Kalin said in an interview with Best FM radio station.

"We also recommend them to come and sit with the relatives of martyrs and listen to them," Kalin said.

FETO and its U.S.-based leader Fetullah Gulen orchestrated the defeated coup of July 15, 2016, which left 250 people martyred and nearly 2,200 injured.

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

About the rising U.S.-North Korea tensions, Kalin said that the whole world must be denuclearized. “All countries should take a global stance against nuclear weapons.”

He said that it was "unfair" that the countries which own nuclear weapons say: “We have [nuclear weapon], we can’t waive from it but from now on, we don’t want anybody else to have it.”

When asked about the sincerity of the five countries, which are the biggest arms producers, in calling for "disarmament", Kalin said the question should be asked: "Whenever there is a possibility of war in any part of the world, who benefits from it?"

"Unfortunately, weapon companies always benefit from it," Kalin added.

He pointed out that such weapons lobbies were always fueling tensions to run their businesses.