What is behind Süleyman Soylu's official vehicle and immunity move? Allegations of illicit surveillance
It has been alleged that the move by former Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu, who returned his official vehicle and petitioned the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) to have his legislative immunity lifted, was prompted by an investigation launched into police officers close to him.
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Former Interior Minister and AKP Istanbul Deputy Süleyman Soylu's decision to have the three official vehicles allocated to him left in front of a building affiliated with the Ministry of Interior has created a crisis within the ministry.
Soylu later claimed that he was "facing a smear campaign" and submitted a petition to the TBMM to have his legislative immunity lifted. The background to these consecutive moves by Soylu has now emerged.
According to a report by Can Bursalı from Gazete Duvar, it is claimed in security bureaucracy and political circles that one of the reasons for Soylu taking these steps is an investigation launched last May. This investigation is reportedly based on allegations that Mustafa Çalışkan, who served as the Istanbul Police Chief during the first period of Süleyman Soylu's tenure as Interior Minister, and his family were subjected to illicit surveillance and wiretapping.
THE INVESTIGATOR IS A FAMILIAR NAME
Çalışkan, who did not get along with Soylu while serving in Istanbul, had stated in an interview during the period when organized crime leader Sedat Peker was releasing videos that "the public is uncomfortable with Soylu's statements." Çalışkan currently serves as the Deputy Director General of Security. It is alleged that after being removed from his post as Istanbul Police Chief, Çalışkan was followed by certain police officers close to Soylu. The investigation into the police officers close to Soylu regarding this allegation was being conducted by a first-class police chief identified as M.Ç.