Turkish deputy PM ‘condemns’ Dutch refusal to let him speak

ANKARA, Turkey – Turkey’s deputy prime minister has accused the Netherlands of infringing on the rights of Turkish citizens after Dutch authorities said he was not welcome to deliver a speech there.

Deputy Prime Minister Tugrul Turkes had intended to travel to the town of Apeldoorn to commemorate the anniversary of the failed coup in Turkey a year ago. He says members of the local Turkish community had invited him to deliver a speech.

Turkes on Friday condemned Dutch authorities for intervening “against the democratic rights and free will of our people who live there and contribute to (the Dutch) economy.”

An earlier row between Turkey and the Netherlands erupted in March after Dutch authorities refused to allow Turkish officials to hold campaign rallies there ahead of a referendum increasing the president’s powers.