Turkish Interior Minister likens himself to hanged former PM after TV host's remarks

Turkish Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu responded on Thursday to a TV host who said during a live broadcast, "We may see him inside."

Sirin Payzin, journalist and TV host in independent media Halk TV, implied that Soylu could be indicted and arrested in case the current ruling bloc loses the coming elections and is replaced by a coalition of opposition parties.

Soylu is accused of alleged relations with shady figures and of undermining the law enforcement's fight against organized crime, particularly drug trafficking.

He responded sharply to Payzin, as he compared himself to former prime minister Adnan Menderes and the two ministers in his cabinet, who were hanged following a trial after the military coup in May 1960.

He said:

"They say their wish is to see Suleyman Soylu inside when the administration has changed (!). You bloodthirsty vampires... It isn't enough that they had earlier drunk the blood of a Prime Minister and two Ministers. The Operative Children of the West and Soros. Do your best."

Payzin replied to Soylu as she said:

"Mr. Minister, it must be clear after my correction, which was shared by you as well, that I didn't mean to say that. The message I tried to deliver is that everybody needs the law sooner or later. It is the mutual wish and need of all of us that the judiciary is independent from politics."