At AKP group meeting, Erdogan lambasters opposition leader

Speaking at his ruling Justice and Development Party's (AKP) group meeting, Prime Minister Recep Tayip Erdogan yesterday criticized main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) leader Deniz Baykal's statements about the Ergenekon probe. "The masks of those trying to protect the interests of a certain class are falling away," he said. "Once Turkey manages to get rid of these masks, nothing can stand in its way." He added, "No one need worry. Turkey will never fall a single step behind democracy." He also said, "Only those who have a weak belief in the democratic state of law can playact the lawyer for suspects of illegal groups facing allegations of striking at this country's democratic processes." He said that such politicians and their view of politics are doing enormous damage to democracy and the law in Turkey.