Kidnapping of CHP deputy causes outrage

Huseyin Aygun from the main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) was kidnapped on Sunday evening at a roadblock between the towns of Ovacik and Tunceli. The kidnapping of a lawmaker by the PKK, which is the first of its kind in Turkey, has been strongly condemned by various political parties,  human rights groups, non-governmental organizations and Parliament members.  Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan phoned CHP leader Kemal Kilicdaroglu to express his condemnation of the incident yesterday and said that security units were following the issue and exerting the utmost effort to secure the release of Aygun. Parliament Speaker Cemil Cicek said the abduction was an act of disrespect against "the nation's will, democracy and Parliament." In a joint statement, Peace and Democracy Party (BDP) leader Selahattin Demirtas and deputy leader Gulten Kisanak expressed their sorrow for Aygun's kidnapping, described the incident as "unacceptable" and emphasized that they were ready to lend any kind of support to Aygun's safe and sound return. Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahceli said, "This act is a clear insult to the Turkish nation's will and dignity," and asked the CHP to recall its call for an extraordinary parliamentary session on terror. Touching on the issue, European Commission spokesperson Sebastien Brabant said, "We have learned of the abduction of Deputy Huseyin Aygun with great concern. We want him to be released immediately. The EU condemns all kinds of terror."