Dutch FM to summon Turkish envoy over AK Party campaign letter

Dutch Foreign Minister Bert Koenders announced on Friday that the Turkish ambassador to the Netherlands is to be summoned to the Foreign Ministry over a controversial Justice and Development Party (AK Party) election campaign letter sent to Turkish residents in the country.

An investigation was launched by Dutch authorities after Turkish citizens in the Netherlands received an election campaign letter sent by the AK Party and signed by Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu. 

Many Turkish voters in the country have filed criminal complaints, saying their right to privacy was violated.

While the investigation, which seeks to find out if the privacy of the Turkish citizens was violated in order to obtain their addresses, is still ongoing, the matter has been brought to the Dutch parliament. 

Many members of the legislative body said they feel uncomfortable with the situation and demanded the Turkish ambassador be summoned and asked for an explanation.

The letter that was sent to Turkish citizens includes campaign promises for the Nov. 1 election, such as reducing the payment for a shortened military service from 6,000 euros to 1,000 euros and the promise of new legislation that will allow Turkish citizens living abroad to elect deputies who also live abroad to represent them in the Turkish Parliament.

The letter then asks the recipients to vote for the AK Party for a “strong and new Turkey.”
   todayszaman.com
30/10/15