Videos featuring Interior Minister criticizing gov't being removed from social media

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Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) group deputy chair Özgür Özel has said that Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu's remarks critical of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) and its coalition ally Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) are being removed from social media, under the disguise of “copyright infringement.”

“It is explicit that AKP politicians are in an attempt to erase their pasts through the hands of [state-run] TRT broadcaster and under the cover of copyright,” daily Cumhuriyet quoted Özel as saying on Jan. 11.

Özel was referring to Soylu's remarks on the now-shut-down Samanyolu TV in the aftermath of the Sept. 12, 2010 constitutional referendum. Soylu had criticized the AKP for its resistance in not lowering the 10 percent electoral threshold.

“The AKP owes an obligation to this country to lower the 10 percent electoral threshold. [Pro-Kurdish party] DEHAP needs to enter parliament,” Soylu had at the time said.

“There is no place for the MHP in new Turkey,” Soylu had also said in the relevant video.

Soylu joined President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's ruling AKP in 2012, having switched from the center-right Democrat Party (DP).

Ahead of the Sept. 12, 2010 constitutional referendum, Soylu campaigned for the "yes" vote, which was the stance of the government.

His journey in the AKP ranks began when he was sacked from the Hüsamettin Cindoruk-led DP. Soylu was subsequently invited to join the AKP.

Surprisingly, before joining the AKP, Soylu was known for his harsh criticism of the party and Erdoğan.

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