Turkey’s official Republic Day Reception has been canceled after a mine incident is still trapping at least 15 workers underground.
The reception which was expected to take place in Ankara’s new Aksaray building was canceled as President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and PM Ahmet Davutoğlu have scheduled trips to Karaman’s Ermenek district - the venue of the mine incident.
Prior to the cancellation, opposition parties Republican People’s Party (CHP), People’s Democratic Party (HDP) and Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) declared that they would not attend the ceremony.
It also stirred controversy after dissident news organizations Cumhuriyet, Fox TV, Halk TV, Birgün, Evrensel, Zaman, Bugün, Kanaltürk and Bugün TV were not invited. (ÇT/BM)
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