PM Davutoğlu: Government will not let anyone create chaos


Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu on Thursday harshly criticized those who oppose the domestic security package for bringing stricter penalties for the possession of Molotov cocktails and engaging in violent protests along defining levels for the use of force by police.He spoke at the Justice and Development Party's (AK Party) Consultation Meeting organized for mayors in Ankara, and said that it is a crime to possess Molotov cocktails and explosives of this sort in developed countries throughout the world, including the U.K. Davutoğlu said that some political movements aim to build, while others exist to destroy. "The AK Party is a constructive political movement that aims to improve and revive all aspects of the country." He brought up the October 6-7 Kobani protests in which cities were vandalized allegedly in the name of seeking freedom for Kobani. He criticized opposition parties for their stance on the issue of vandalism and violent street protests and said that the government cannot allow provocateurs and vandals to turn Turkish cities into chaos with the use of Molotov cocktails and other explosives."If the opposition can prove that Molotov cocktails are legal in any country, we will revisit our reform package," he said, and added that terrorists may support the use of Molotov cocktails, but politicians should never attempt to do so. He underlined that the government has come up with the domestic security package after long discussions and series of consultations, while he criticized the opposition for twice blocking the legislation.Davutoğlu gave the example of three PKK supporters who were given 19 year sentences in the U.K. for possession of Molotov cocktails, and said that contrary to allegations, the domestic security package is in line with democratic principles. He also touched on the issue of detention periods and said that the provision pertaining to this issue has been prepared by taking into consideration examples in EU states including the U.K., Germany, France, Belgium and Italy and said it is unreasonable to claim that the provision is authoritarian. "We will never let provocateurs burn and destroy our cities again," said Davutoğlu, who reiterated that those who want to peacefully protest are welcome to do so and the government guarantees this as a democratic right. While addressing the mayors, Davutoğlu also touched on the importance of the city."The essence of the city is its architecture, while the essence of humans is morality," he said, underlining that urban culture should be built with kindness and that violence, hate and hostility should be rejected at all levels. "Where there is no city, there is no common living space and therefore no societal order."Parliament is expected to start debating the domestic security package on Thursday. The bill was prepared in line with European standards of security, freedoms and security regulations and aims to provide security to ensure freedoms for citizens.