Erdogan: "The govt isn't a party in the Ergenekon case"

At a press conference at his Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) headquarters in Ankara yesterday, Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan announced 13 more AK Party mayoral candidates for cities across Turkey for the March local elections. Speaking to reporters, Erdogan rebuffed accusations of interference in the ongoing Ergenekon probe, saying that the government is not a party in the case's legal proceedings. Stressing that the judiciary is independent and that Turkey is ruled by the principle of the separation of powers, Erdogan said that the government is not a decision-maker in the Ergenekon legal process. He said no one should falsely claim that the government is a prosecutor in the case. Erdogan also said that during this time everyone should avoid damaging the reputation of the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK) and security forces and warned against smear campaigns. Erdogan yesterday also attended a gathering of governors of the Turkey's 81 provinces at the Interior Ministry to discuss security measures for the local elections. Erdogan told the governors that they should work in harmony with the National Intelligence Organization (MIT) to take necessary steps to ensure security.