VIDEO: Opposition's presidential campaigns face attacks

ANTALYA - AYDIN

The election campaigns of two presidential candidates of Turkey's opposition have faced attacks.

Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) candidate Selahattin Demirtaş condemned the physical attack against an election campaign stand in the Black Sea province of Rize July 26. Demirtaş filed a criminal complaint and personally called Rize Governor Ersin Yazıcı, saying that a similar incident had recently happened in the Samsun province, too, according a written statement released by HDP.

Necmettin Durmuş, a Rize local who opened the promotional stand by his own means, was injured during the attack. Three attackers were detained, as police launched an investigation.



"We use the language of peace and brotherhood in this [presidential] race, but the other candidate spills out hatred wherever he goes. He tries to antagonize everybody," Demirtaş said in his campaign rally in the western province of Aydın.

Meanwhile, six people, including two children, were detained in the western province of Tekirdağ after handing out pamphlets targeting Ekmeleddin İhsanoğlu, the joint candidate nominated by the main opposition Republican People's Party and the Nationalist Movement Party (MHP).

All suspects, who were detained following criminal complaints, were released by police, pending trial.

'Dangerous Candidate'

According to Doğan News Agency, the pamphlets that read "Dangerous Candidate" and "Thrace Kemalist Democrats Platform" might be considered as tools of black propaganda, an illegal activity according to election rules.

"The people don't want fights. Turkey will lose a lot if it engages in fights," İhsanoğlu said in his campaign speech at the Chamber of Trade and Industry in the southern province of Antalya.

Stressing that a total of 12 parties support his presidential bid, İhsanoğlu added that Turkey needs a president "who will bring peace."