Erdo?an accuses HDP leaders of treason, provocation

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdo?an has accused Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) co-leaders of treason and provocation in the wake of statements made by HDP co-chair Selahattin Demirta? on the establishment of "autonomous" regions in Turkey's southeast.

"The co-chair in question made delusional statements after his visit to Russia last weekend. What this co-chair did is clearly total provocation and treason," Erdo?an said, without referring to Demirta? by name, during a press conference at Istanbul's Atatürk Airport early Dec. 29 ahead of a flight to Saudi Arabia.

Erdo?an slammed the co-chair's Dec. 25 statements in which he said, "From now on, Kurds will be the political will in their own region... Perhaps, Kurds will have their own independent state, the federal state, and cantons and autonomous regions as well."

Recalling the constitution's 14th article, Erdo?an questioned the HDP's attempt to make statements on founding a state in Turkey's east and southeast "within the current unilateral environment of the country."

"The 14th article of our constitution is against these sorts of attempts."

The 14th article states that "none of the rights and freedoms embodied in the Constitution shall be exercised in the form of activities aiming to violate the indivisible integrity of the State with its territory and nation."

Pictures released by the Armed Forces depict destruction in southeastern Sur amid clashes, curfew

In Photos: Marks of violence visible across Nusaybin after lifting of curfew

In Photos: Turkey celebrates Christmas Eve with services

In photos: Turkey commemorates Rumi with 'Night of Union' ceremony in Konya

In Photos: Ta?yaran Valley in Aegean region to become nature park