Turkish opposition leader Deniz Baykal, 71, resigns over sex tape

Alexander Christie-Miller, Istanbul May 11, 2010

The leader of Turkey’s main opposition party has resigned after the release of grainy video footage purporting to show him having an affair with one of his MPs.

The recording appeared on the website of the pro-government Habervaktim newspaper last week ahead of a crucial parliamentary vote on changing the constitution, provoking accusations that its release was the work of the ruling AK Party.

The nine minutes and 23 seconds of silent footage, seemingly shot with a hidden camera, allegedly shows Deniz Baykal, 71, veteran leader of the opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) and Nesrin Baytok, 50, his former private secretary and now a CHP deputy, speaking in the presence of another man in one clip, and getting dressed alone in a bedroom in another.

The website claimed that the man accompanying the two in the first clip is Mrs Baytok’s husband.

The film, which appeared with the title “Sex Adventures with the CHP”, initially emerged last Thursday evening, and although it was removed after half an hour, it has since been circulating on videosharing websites. It ends with the caption “To be continued”.

Announcing his resignation yesterday at a televised press conference, Mr Baykal claimed he was the victim of a government conspiracy.

“It is not a coincidence that the tape was released amid constitutional reform. It is impossible to organise such a plot within such a short period of time without the knowledge of the ruling party,” he said.

“I will not give up in the face of such a black campaign. I will not let anybody question me.”

The parliamentary vote paved the way for a referendum on controversial constitutional amendments that Mr Baykal’s party has threatened to block.

The reforms, spearheaded by the Islamic-leaning AK Party, would curb the power of the country’s staunchly secular judiciary. Mr Baykal’s CHP has announced plans to have the legislation annulled in the country’s top court.

Recep Tayyip Erdogan, Turkey’s Prime Minister, said that he deplored the recording and release of the video and told the Radikal daily newspaper that he was bewildered by Mr Baykal’s accusations of government involvement.

“The statements of the main opposition leader are ordinary and ugly,” he said. “The fact that Baykal did not call the accusations lies makes me even sadder.”

Turkey’s Government has ordered a criminal investigation into the video.

Orhan Kemal Cengiz, a human rights activist and commentator for the government-friendly Zaman newspaper, described it as a “terrible disaster for politics”.

He told The Times: “Everything shows that this is an inside conspiracy. If it’s been done by any circle connected to the government it’s terrible, unacceptable, and ugly.”

Turkey Prime Minister Tayyip Erdogan condemns Deniz Baykal

11 May, 2010 | 11:37

Turkey’s Prime Minister has condemned the government’s main opposition leader, Deniz Baykal, who announced his resignation from the Republican Peoples Party after a hidden sex tape emerged allegedly containing Deniz Baykal and an MP.

Assassination Attempt to Turkish politician, Deniz Baykal

Breaking news – CHP leader Deniz Baykal press conference (Live)

Prime Minister of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, during the press conference held yesterday.

You can see Deniz Baykal’s speech from the link.

Turkey main opposition leader Deniz Baykal quits after alleged sex tape

The Tape which was aired on the Vakit Newspaper with the heading “Deniz Baykal’s sex Video” was posted on the news agencies website habervaktim.com on Friday causing a huge scandal.

The video stayed on air for only 30 minutes but this was enough for it to go viral on the Internet causing a shock effect in Turkey.

Deniz Baykal spoke on Monday over the scandal tape which allegedly contained the 71-year-old politician and a fellow Member of Parliament (MP), Nesrin Baytok, who was a former personal secretary of the 18-year leader of the CHP, and announced that he was resigning from his post.

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Turkey's opposition leader quits over sex video

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