Turkish journalist slammed over TMT comments
A TURKISH journalist has been slammed after describing the Turkish Resistance Organisation (TMT), set up by Turkish Cypriots in the 1950s, as “illegal”.
The comment was made by Ayşenur Arslan during a discussion on the TV channel Halk TV last week about the assassination of Turkish Cypriot businessman Halil Falyalı.
During the programme, Ms Arslan claimed that Mr Falyalı “used to introduce himself as a member of the TMT” and that “this organisation was an illegal, semi-official organisation known for assassinations”.
Her comments sparked outrage among many, both in North Cyprus and Turkey.
President Ersin Tatar issued a stinging rebuke, in which he said: “The soldiers of the TMT, the sons of our people, lost their lives protecting the honour and dignity of Turkishness, and to prevent Enosis [union of Cyprus with Greece].
“Without the TMT, we would not have been able to reach the morning of July 20, 1974, and Cyprus would have become a Hellenic island. If we live free and sovereign in our own state in this land that we know today as our homeland, we owe this to the TMT, to our martyrs, and our Motherland Turkey.
“The aim of these ugly and unrealistic allegations, slander, and lies against the TMT . . . is to weaken and defame our struggle [for independence].
“We will not be bystanders to these ugly attacks of Greek-collaborator agents-provocateurs and ignorant people . . . The necessary action will be taken against those who accuse our martyrs of being ‘assassins and murderers’.”
Turkey’s ruling Justice and Development Party spokesman Ömer Çelik said: “The TMT is the focus of the glorious resistance of the Turkish Cypriots against [Greek Cypriot terrorist organisation] Eoka,” going on to describe the group’s history in glowing terms.
Turkish Foreign Minister Mevlüt Çavuşoğlu also condemned Ms Arslan’s comments, while it was reported that criminal complaints have been filed against her to the Ankara prosecutor’s office on behalf of three Turkish political parties, alleging that she has violated Article 301 of the Turkish Penal Code which prohibits “degrading the nation, the State of the Republic of Turkey, and the institutions and bodies of the state”.
The Turkish media watchdog, the Radio and Television Supreme Council (RTÜK), has also opened an inquiry.
Following the strong reactions, Ms Arslan took to the small screen to clarify her earlier words.
She explained that she had used a “technical” term and that the meaning of her words had been distorted by others.
Ms Arslan also apologised to the “families of those who lost their lives for the TMT” for any “hurt” caused.