Turkish president's son dismisses Russia oil trade claims

Daesh does not represent Islam and I do not even think they are Muslim, Turkish president's son, Bilal Erdogan, has said in response to Russian allegations that he is involved in an illegal oil trade with the terrorist group.

In remarks made to an Italian newspaper, Corriere della Sera, Tuesday in the Italian city of Bologne where he is pursuing his doctorate degree at the John Hopkins University, Erdogan said: "Kremlin’s spokesperson says 'Erdogan's son is exporting oil via the Ceyhan port with ships coming from Daesh' and it appears in newspapers worldwide. I have nothing to do with such a marine transport”.

Russia made the allegations after Turkey downed a Russian jet for violating Turkish airspace in late November.

"Above all, Daesh is an enemy of my country, a disgraceful thing, as it puts my religion in a malicious position. They do not represent Islam and I do not even think they are Muslim," he said.

About why Turkey does not seal its border with Syria, Bilal Erdogan said that Turkey was taking strict action against oil smuggling.

"Turkey has a 900-kilometer border and is doing its best, but it is rather difficult. We asked formation of a buffer zone, which can be easier to both control the border and receive the refugees, but, unfortunately, we have not been heard," he said.     

About Russia's negative reaction to establishing a no-fly zone on the Turkish-Syrian border, he said: "Who knows why... Turkey and Russia are partners and neighboring countries. I am of the opinion that the problem will be solved, but if everyone pursues their interests, I do not think it will take place".

He said that Russia’s closing down of dialogue channels with Turkey would not improve the situation. "The thing that broke out with Russian jet is saddening, but we should focus on real issues like Daesh and future of Syria," he said.

Erdogan said that the two countries were good allies only until two weeks ago and asked how could the false allegations be true when Turkey was in fact a NATO member.

"Turkey is a NATO member. [You think] Turkey will aid Daesh and NATO will not know [about] it. What Turkey is doing on the field is works in coordination with its partners and allies."

"Instead, we do not know what Russia is doing there [in Syria]," he added.

About the allegation that he fled Turkey for Italy, Erdogan said: "I did not plan Russia's acts. I want to stay in my country, but there are many distracting things. It is not easy to come here with two kids and adapt to the country and school. But I can focus on my studies here." 

Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdogan too has also strongly rejected the Russian allegations.