Turkey's CHP leader: National Intelligence Organization (MİT) not tasked with weapons smuggling to Syria.

Turkey's CHP leader: National Intelligence Organization (MİT) not tasked with weapons smuggling to Syria.(TZ).

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has stated that engaging in arms trafficking is not part of the National Intelligence Organization's (MİT) duties, referring to three Syria-bound trucks full of weapons and ammunition found in Adana province on Sunday morning. 

The trucks were allegedly in the service of MİT personnel.Attending an event in Ankara on Monday, Kılıçdaroğlu responded to questions from reporters. In response to a question regarding three trucks that were found full of weapons and ammunition in Adana on Sunday morning, Kılıçdaroğlu said:

“These three trucks allegedly belong to MİT and are not allowed to be searched by police officers or prosecutors. As far as I know, MİT is not tasked with weapons smuggling. When we look at the law on MİT, the organization also has no authority to conduct operational activities. This organization only collects intelligence, assesses it and presents it to the prime minister. That is it. 

The government of the Turkish Republic has been forced into an illegal practice. Who will be held accountable for this tomorrow?”

Gendarmes intercepted three Syria-bound trucks on the suspicion of carrying arms in the southern province of Adana on Sunday morning, the latest in a string of similar incidents that have caused concerns about continued attempts to transfer arms to opposition fighters, who have been battling the Syrian regime for nearly three years.

Commenting further, Kılıçdaroğlu said the incident should be evaluated from two perspectives, saying: “What kind of a government is it that cannot even conceal the trucks it sends to Syria. The trucks are sent with drums and flutes! It means that the government can no longer operate properly. 

The second perspective should be this: If the trucks were carrying humanitarian aid, as is stated, there would be no need to prevent the police officers or prosecutors from searching the trucks. There would be medicine, food or clothes in the trucks, if there were humanitarian aid inside those trucks. It is not rational to conceal humanitarian aid or prevent officials from searching the trucks. Please don't try to fool the people.”

Stating that the Turkish Republic has been placed in such a position that its legitimacy is being questioned by the international community, Kılıçdaroğlu said they cannot allow the government to put the 90-year-old Turkish Republic's legitimacy into question, claiming that the government has started to interfere in the internal issues of Syria and provide weapons to opposition groups in the country.

Agreeing with Kılıçdaroğlu, CHP Adana deputy Faruk Loğoğlu, speaking to reporters on Monday, said MİT has no authority to conduct operational activities abroad.

After the search of the trucks, the Adana Police Department saw many of its officers reassigned as the government demoted police chiefs who were believed to have played a critical role in the interception of the trucks to less important positions.

Police Chief İsmail Bilgin, head of the counterterrorism and intelligence units, was reassigned to an insignificant post -- overseeing social facilities and services for police officers and their families. Additionally, the positions of more than 10 other police chiefs serving in various departments have changed.Hmmm......Can we now speak of 'State Sponsor of terrorism'?Read the full story here.