May 14th is the D-day in Turkey, it will mean a new President for the country. Early voting is already underway and it's looking like neck to neck as citizens gear up to choose their next leader. The Interior Minister in Turkey has made a damning claim saying that the West, particularly, the US is using the elections to stage a political coup in Turkey.

Turkey's Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu claims US' attempting political coup in Turkey

When Sedat Peker, a convicted Turkish mob boss, began posting videos on social media earlier this month in which he made uncorroborated claims of corruption, murder and drug running against top politicians, millions of Turks tuned in to watch.

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet">
Son zamanların en iyi videosu bu bence :) <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/SedatPeker?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">#SedatPeker</a> <a href="https://t.co/UbeT2TEjsw">pic.twitter.com/UbeT2TEjsw</a>
— Arif Kocabıyık (@Arif_Ilave) <a href="https://twitter.com/Arif_Ilave/status/1396928002571767814?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">May 24, 2021</a></blockquote>
<script async src="https://platform.twitter.com/widgets.js" charset="utf-8"></script></div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

The seven videos Peker has posted so far have been viewed more than 56 million times on YouTube.

Some Turks see them as an embarrassment for President Tayyip Erdogan's government, which has ruled Turkey for nearly two decades and vaunted its success in breaking ties between the state and mafia.

Opposition parties have called for the resignation of Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu, the main target of Peker's rambling monologues, in which he speaks from behind a desk in a mixture of street jargon and political rhetoric.

"You cannot handle this by going on screens and blathering," said IYI Party leader Meral Aksener.

Soylu has rejected accusations against him, which include extending Peker's police protection after he left jail and warning him of a crackdown on his organisation, calling them "disgusting lies" and a plot against the country.

Soylu filed a criminal complaint against Peker and said he was being targeted because of his fight against organised crime.

Asked in a televised interview why millions had watched the videos, Soylu snapped back that millions also watched child pornography.

Erdogan weighed into the issue on Wednesday and implied support for Soylu, telling parliament the government was chasing criminal gang members "no matter where in the world they run to."

Peker, 49, rose to prominence in the 1990s as a mob figure and was sentenced to 14 years in prison in 2007 for crimes including forming and leading a criminal gang. He has served several sentences in Turkey and has said he is now in Dubai.

The Anadolu state news agency said&nbsp;Peker&nbsp;was now also suspected of involvement in a terror group led by a US-based Muslim preacher that Turkey blames for a failed coup against Erdogan in 2016.

The accusations thrown by&nbsp;Peker&nbsp;at Erdogan's allies,&nbsp;including a former prime minister, top officials and their relatives,&nbsp;range from corruption and drug trafficking to rape and assassinations.

The videos have focused heavily on Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu, whom&nbsp;Peker&nbsp;alleges had offered him protection and then tipped him off about new impending charges, allowing him to flee abroad.

None of the allegations has been proven and those involved have protested their innocence.

But the political scandal sparked by the videos comes at an inopportune time for Erdogan, who is losing ground in opinion polls because of a depreciating currency and runaway inflation.

Addressing the allegations directly for the first time on Wednesday, Erdogan vowed to stand "side by side" with Soylu, a nationalist who is seen as one of Turkey's most popular and powerful officials.

"We have crushed criminal organisations one by one for 19 years," Erdogan said Wednesday.

"We follow criminal gang members wherever they may flee to in the world."

(With inputs from agencies)

When Sedat Peker, a convicted Turkish mob boss, began posting videos on social media earlier this month in which he made uncorroborated claims of corruption, murder and drug running against top politicians, millions of Turks tuned in to watch.

When Sedat Peker, a convicted Turkish mob boss, began posting videos on social media earlier this month in which he made uncorroborated claims of corruption, murder and drug running against top politicians, millions of Turks tuned in to watch. Son zamanların en iyi videosu bu bence :) #SedatPeker pic.twitter.com/UbeT2TEjsw — Arif Kocabıyık (@Arif_Ilave) May 24, 2021 × The seven videos Peker has posted so far have been viewed more than 56 million times on YouTube. Some Turks see them as an embarrassment for President Tayyip Erdogan's government, which has ruled Turkey for nearly two decades and vaunted its success in breaking ties between the state and mafia. Opposition parties have called for the resignation of Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu, the main target of Peker's rambling monologues, in which he speaks from behind a desk in a mixture of street jargon and political rhetoric. "You cannot handle this by going on screens and blathering," said IYI Party leader Meral Aksener. Soylu has rejected accusations against him, which include extending Peker's police protection after he left jail and warning him of a crackdown on his organisation, calling them "disgusting lies" and a plot against the country. Soylu filed a criminal complaint against Peker and said he was being targeted because of his fight against organised crime. Asked in a televised interview why millions had watched the videos, Soylu snapped back that millions also watched child pornography. Erdogan weighed into the issue on Wednesday and implied support for Soylu, telling parliament the government was chasing criminal gang members "no matter where in the world they run to." Peker, 49, rose to prominence in the 1990s as a mob figure and was sentenced to 14 years in prison in 2007 for crimes including forming and leading a criminal gang. He has served several sentences in Turkey and has said he is now in Dubai. The Anadolu state news agency said Peker was now also suspected of involvement in a terror group led by a US-based Muslim preacher that Turkey blames for a failed coup against Erdogan in 2016. The accusations thrown by Peker at Erdogan's allies, including a former prime minister, top officials and their relatives, range from corruption and drug trafficking to rape and assassinations. The videos have focused heavily on Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu, whom Peker alleges had offered him protection and then tipped him off about new impending charges, allowing him to flee abroad. None of the allegations has been proven and those involved have protested their innocence. But the political scandal sparked by the videos comes at an inopportune time for Erdogan, who is losing ground in opinion polls because of a depreciating currency and runaway inflation. Addressing the allegations directly for the first time on Wednesday, Erdogan vowed to stand "side by side" with Soylu, a nationalist who is seen as one of Turkey's most popular and powerful officials. "We have crushed criminal organisations one by one for 19 years," Erdogan said Wednesday. "We follow criminal gang members wherever they may flee to in the world." (With inputs from agencies)

Watch: Video of Turkish mobster targeting top politicians goes viral

Greece has repulsed nearly 35,000 migrants trying to cross onto its territory illegally since Turkey opened its border nearly a week ago, government sources said on Thursday, as it prepares to deport hundreds of others who made it through.

Thousands of migrants have made for Greece since Ankara said on Feb. 28 that it would let migrants cross its borders into Europe, reneging on a commitment to hold them on its territory under a 2016 deal with the European Union.

Ankara has accused Greek forces of shooting dead four migrants. a charge rejected by Athens, which says Turkish forces are helping the migrants to cross the border. Both sides used tear gas at the Kastanies border post on Wednesday.

<img alt="Migrants, who are part of a group who arrived in the previous days after crossing part of the Aegean Sea from Turkey to Greece, wait for an identification process before being transported to the mainland on a Greek Navy vessel from the port of Mytilene, on the island of Lesbos, Greece" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="e231cc37-f68a-46c7-a271-380474c64c79" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%2834%29.jpg" />

Turkey's interior minister, Suleyman Soylu, visited Edirne province bordering Greece on Thursday and announced the deployment of 1,000 special police to the area to halt the pushback of migrants towards its territory.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/opinions-blogs/eastern-mediterranean-region-a-microcosm-of-regional-and-global-battles-284505">Eastern Mediterranean region: A microcosm of regional and global battles</a>

Soylu, who said on Wednesday that Turkey was preparing a case at the European Court of Human Rights over Greece's treatment of migrants, accused Greek forces of wounding 164 people and pushing back nearly 5,000 into Turkey.

The situation at the Kastanies border crossing was calm on Thursday. Migrants - many of whom are from Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as Syria and other Arab nations - huddled in tents and makeshift camps on the Turkish side of the border.

<img alt="Two migrants who crossed the border from Turkey to Greece run through a field, near the town of Soufli, in the region of Evros, Greece" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="61481ed0-c3b4-4b90-a58c-3d672e2d8df1" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%2836%29_0.jpg" />

Greek border guards rebuffed nearly 7,000 attempts in the last 24 hours alone, taking the total since Feb. 29 to 34,778 and the number of arrests of those who got through to 244, the Greek government sources said.

Watch: 

<div class="ui-state-default" contenteditable="false">
<div class="twitter-block" draggable="false">
<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/turkey-rejected-11b-aid-from-eu-erdogan-284041/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>
</div>
<a class="close-mark close-div" href="#" id="jqclosemark">×</a></div>

&nbsp;

Migrants who arrived in Greece illegally after March 1 will be transferred to the northern city of Serres and deported back to their own countries, Greek Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi said late on Wednesday.

"Our aim is to return them to their countries," he told the Athens News Agency.

<img alt="Greek soldiers walk on the railway tracks as they patrol next the Greek-Turkish border near the village of Marasia, in the region of Evros, Greece" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="5f438018-6855-4b40-9366-7fbb155f62a2" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/Untitled%20design%2837%29_0.jpg" />

CRITICISM

Mitarachi also said migrants who entered Greece prior to Jan. 1, 2019 and are living on its Aegean islands would be transferred to the mainland in the coming days.

Athens announced on March 1 that it would not accept any new asylum applications for a month following the build-up of migrants at the border. This has triggered criticism from human rights agencies.

The Aegean Sea remained choppy on Thursday and there were no further sightings of dinghies carrying migrants to Lesbos and other Greek islands from the nearby Turkish coast.

Lesbos already hosts more than 20,000 asylum seekers, many of them living in filthy conditions in overcrowded camps.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/greek-police-fire-tear-gas-at-migrants-on-turkish-border-284256">Greek police fire tear gas at migrants on Turkish border</a>

Greece and the EU accuse Turkey of deliberately goading the migrants to cross the border as a way of pressuring Brussels into offering more money or supporting Ankara's geopolitical aims in the Syrian conflict.

Turkey, which already hosts 3.6 million Syrian refugees and faces another influx from an upsurge in fighting in northwest Syria, says it cannot take in any more and complains that EU aid falls well short of what is needed for the refugees.

President Tayyip Erdogan discussed the migrant issue with senior EU officials in Ankara on Wednesday but his spokesman said the Europeans had made "no concrete proposition" on how to resolve the crisis.

Ankara's change in policy towards the migrants on its soil came after at least 33 Turkish soldiers were killed by Russian-backed Syrian government forces in an air strike in Syria.

Erdogan flew to Moscow on Thursday for talks with Russia's President Vladimir Putin over a potential ceasefire in Syria's Idlib, where their militaries are facing off in a war that has displaced nearly a million people in three months.

Greece has repulsed nearly 35,000 migrants trying to cross onto its territory illegally since Turkey opened its border nearly a week ago, government sources said on Thursday, as it prepares to deport hundreds of others who made it through.

Greece has repulsed nearly 35,000 migrants trying to cross onto its territory illegally since Turkey opened its border nearly a week ago, government sources said on Thursday, as it prepares to deport hundreds of others who made it through. Thousands of migrants have made for Greece since Ankara said on Feb. 28 that it would let migrants cross its borders into Europe, reneging on a commitment to hold them on its territory under a 2016 deal with the European Union. Ankara has accused Greek forces of shooting dead four migrants. a charge rejected by Athens, which says Turkish forces are helping the migrants to cross the border. Both sides used tear gas at the Kastanies border post on Wednesday. Turkey's interior minister, Suleyman Soylu, visited Edirne province bordering Greece on Thursday and announced the deployment of 1,000 special police to the area to halt the pushback of migrants towards its territory. Also read: Eastern Mediterranean region: A microcosm of regional and global battles Soylu, who said on Wednesday that Turkey was preparing a case at the European Court of Human Rights over Greece's treatment of migrants, accused Greek forces of wounding 164 people and pushing back nearly 5,000 into Turkey. The situation at the Kastanies border crossing was calm on Thursday. Migrants - many of whom are from Afghanistan and Pakistan as well as Syria and other Arab nations - huddled in tents and makeshift camps on the Turkish side of the border. Greek border guards rebuffed nearly 7,000 attempts in the last 24 hours alone, taking the total since Feb. 29 to 34,778 and the number of arrests of those who got through to 244, the Greek government sources said. Watch: × Migrants who arrived in Greece illegally after March 1 will be transferred to the northern city of Serres and deported back to their own countries, Greek Migration Minister Notis Mitarachi said late on Wednesday. "Our aim is to return them to their countries," he told the Athens News Agency. CRITICISM Mitarachi also said migrants who entered Greece prior to Jan. 1, 2019 and are living on its Aegean islands would be transferred to the mainland in the coming days. Athens announced on March 1 that it would not accept any new asylum applications for a month following the build-up of migrants at the border. This has triggered criticism from human rights agencies. The Aegean Sea remained choppy on Thursday and there were no further sightings of dinghies carrying migrants to Lesbos and other Greek islands from the nearby Turkish coast. Lesbos already hosts more than 20,000 asylum seekers, many of them living in filthy conditions in overcrowded camps. Also read: Greek police fire tear gas at migrants on Turkish border Greece and the EU accuse Turkey of deliberately goading the migrants to cross the border as a way of pressuring Brussels into offering more money or supporting Ankara's geopolitical aims in the Syrian conflict. Turkey, which already hosts 3.6 million Syrian refugees and faces another influx from an upsurge in fighting in northwest Syria, says it cannot take in any more and complains that EU aid falls well short of what is needed for the refugees. President Tayyip Erdogan discussed the migrant issue with senior EU officials in Ankara on Wednesday but his spokesman said the Europeans had made "no concrete proposition" on how to resolve the crisis. Ankara's change in policy towards the migrants on its soil came after at least 33 Turkish soldiers were killed by Russian-backed Syrian government forces in an air strike in Syria. Erdogan flew to Moscow on Thursday for talks with Russia's President Vladimir Putin over a potential ceasefire in Syria's Idlib, where their militaries are facing off in a war that has displaced nearly a million people in three months.

Greece blocks 35,000 migrants, plans to deport arrivals after March 1

At least 33 people were killed in eastern Turkey Wednesday by a second avalanche which buried a team of rescuers searching for people hit by the first the day before.

The bodies of 33 rescue workers and civilians were discovered in Van province, where they had been helping dig out a minibus buried by snow late Tuesday, the government's disaster agency AFAD said.

Also read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/south-asia/nepal-avalanche-nearly-200-rescued-from-mt-everest-and-annapurna-275170">Nepal avalanche: Nearly 200 rescued from Mount Everest and Annapurna</a>

Five people aboard the vehicle were killed, taking the overall toll to 38. Eight people had been rescued alive from the first avalanche.

Television images showed dozens of people scrambling up the mountains, digging through snow in blizzards to find those trapped under the snow.

The number of those injured was 53 in total after the second avalanche hit after 0900 GMT between Bahcesaray and Catak districts, AFAD said.

Health Minister Fahrettin Koca warned the number of casualties could rise as local media reported an unknown number of people could still be under the snow.

<img alt="Turkey avalanche" data-entity-type="file" data-entity-uuid="8905632e-70dd-43cf-b3e2-05e78225e841" src="//cdn.wionews.com/sites/default/files/inline-images/000_1OP9PO.jpg" />

[Emergency service members dig in the snow around at least three overturned vehicles, near the town of Bahcesehir, in the eastern Turkey province of Van, on February 5, 2020 as some dozens of rescue workers are missing after being hit by a second avalanche while on a mission to find two people missing in a previous snow-slide that struck late on February 4. (AFP Photo) ]

The rescuers had been searching for two people from Tuesday's incident, AFAD's Van province chairman Osman Ucar told reporters from his hospital bed.

He was among those injured including former ruling party MP for Van, Gulsen Orhan, who now advises President Recep Tayyip Erdogan.

Van governor Mehmet Emin Bilmez said rescue efforts continued despite the difficult winter conditions causing transport problems with heavy snow continuing to fall on the mountainside.

Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said rescuers had paused overnight and resumed their efforts Wednesday morning to find the last two people.

Authorities were alerted to the first avalanche when snow-clearing vehicle operator Bahattin Karagulle escaped from his snow-covered machine and informed officials of what had happened, Milliyet daily reported.

Also read:<a href="https://www.wionews.com/india-news/at-least-10-including-five-soldiers-killed-in-kashmir-avalanche-274280"> At least 10, including five soldiers killed in Kashmir avalanche</a>

Rescuers sent from Ankara

The AFAD agency sent dozens of rescue workers after the first disaster while gendarmerie officers and firefighters assisted.

Local media reported that residents in nearby areas also joined the rescue efforts in an area difficult to reach in harsh winter conditions.

Television images showed dozens of people scrambling up the mountains, digging through snow in blizzards to find those caught under the snow. 
A special military plane with 75 gendarmerie officers and other rescue officials were on their way from Ankara, AFAD and the defence ministry said.

Erdogan spoke to Soylu to obtain information on the efforts, the presidency said.

The president's spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin, also said on Twitter that "every tool available was mobilised" to help officials.

Christian Berger, the EU ambassador to Turkey, offered his "deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences" as did the US embassy to Turkey on Twitter.

Last month, the eastern province of Elazig was hit by a powerful 6.7-magnitude earthquake, killing 41 people and injuring over 1,600 others. 
A 2009 avalanche in the northeastern province of Gumushane killed 11 climbers in the Zigana mountains.

At least 33 people were killed in eastern Turkey Wednesday by a second avalanche which buried a team of rescuers searching for people hit by the first the day before.

At least 33 people were killed in eastern Turkey Wednesday by a second avalanche which buried a team of rescuers searching for people hit by the first the day before. The bodies of 33 rescue workers and civilians were discovered in Van province, where they had been helping dig out a minibus buried by snow late Tuesday, the government's disaster agency AFAD said. Also read: Nepal avalanche: Nearly 200 rescued from Mount Everest and Annapurna Five people aboard the vehicle were killed, taking the overall toll to 38. Eight people had been rescued alive from the first avalanche. Television images showed dozens of people scrambling up the mountains, digging through snow in blizzards to find those trapped under the snow. The number of those injured was 53 in total after the second avalanche hit after 0900 GMT between Bahcesaray and Catak districts, AFAD said. Health Minister Fahrettin Koca warned the number of casualties could rise as local media reported an unknown number of people could still be under the snow. [Emergency service members dig in the snow around at least three overturned vehicles, near the town of Bahcesehir, in the eastern Turkey province of Van, on February 5, 2020 as some dozens of rescue workers are missing after being hit by a second avalanche while on a mission to find two people missing in a previous snow-slide that struck late on February 4. (AFP Photo) ] The rescuers had been searching for two people from Tuesday's incident, AFAD's Van province chairman Osman Ucar told reporters from his hospital bed. He was among those injured including former ruling party MP for Van, Gulsen Orhan, who now advises President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Van governor Mehmet Emin Bilmez said rescue efforts continued despite the difficult winter conditions causing transport problems with heavy snow continuing to fall on the mountainside. Interior Minister Suleyman Soylu said rescuers had paused overnight and resumed their efforts Wednesday morning to find the last two people. Authorities were alerted to the first avalanche when snow-clearing vehicle operator Bahattin Karagulle escaped from his snow-covered machine and informed officials of what had happened, Milliyet daily reported. Also read: At least 10, including five soldiers killed in Kashmir avalanche Rescuers sent from Ankara The AFAD agency sent dozens of rescue workers after the first disaster while gendarmerie officers and firefighters assisted. Local media reported that residents in nearby areas also joined the rescue efforts in an area difficult to reach in harsh winter conditions. Television images showed dozens of people scrambling up the mountains, digging through snow in blizzards to find those caught under the snow. A special military plane with 75 gendarmerie officers and other rescue officials were on their way from Ankara, AFAD and the defence ministry said. Erdogan spoke to Soylu to obtain information on the efforts, the presidency said. The president's spokesman, Ibrahim Kalin, also said on Twitter that "every tool available was mobilised" to help officials. Christian Berger, the EU ambassador to Turkey, offered his "deepest sympathies and heartfelt condolences" as did the US embassy to Turkey on Twitter. Last month, the eastern province of Elazig was hit by a powerful 6.7-magnitude earthquake, killing 41 people and injuring over 1,600 others. A 2009 avalanche in the northeastern province of Gumushane killed 11 climbers in the Zigana mountains.

Thirty three dead, others trapped after avalanche in eastern Turkey

suleyman-soylu

Suleyman Soylu, News on Suleyman Soylu, stories on Suleyman Soylu, articles on Suleyman Soylu, Suleyman Soylu stories at Wion, Suleyman Soylu news, Suleyman Soylu latest news

suleyman soylu

Turkey's Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu claims US' attempting political coup in Turkey

Watch: Video of Turkish mobster targeting top politicians goes viral

Greece blocks 35,000 migrants, plans to deport arrivals after March 1

Thirty three dead, others trapped after avalanche in eastern Turkey