Main opposition leader slams Republic Day ban

ISTANBUL - Doğan News Agency

DHA photo

Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has challenged the ban on public celebrations of Oct. 29 Republic Day, declaring them anti-democratic.

"We need democracy in this country. In what kind of democracy does the government ban the celebration day of the Republic?" he said, following a visit to Silivri prison today, where a number of detainees in the Ergenekon case are being held.

"There is no justice in the Silivri 'detention camp.' The number of arrested journalists has risen after each legal reform." he said, expressing his solidarity with the Ergenekon detainees.

Kılıçdaroğlu is planning to skip an official evening ceremony marking Oct. 29 Republic Day at the presidential palace in Çankaya, in favor of attending an event in Istanbul’s Kadıköy Square. "I will be with the public, I'm ready to pay the price if necessary," he said.