Erdogan's party says praying namaz in the ruins of Ani would be a political show

The decision by the chairperson of Turkish opposition party Nationalist Movement Devlet Bahceli to pray namaz in the ruins of Ani is nothing but a political show, said Mahmoud Esad Guven, an MP for Prime Minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan's ruling Justice and Development Party.

"NM's leader Devlet Bahceli states that in protest of the mass served in Sourb Khach Church is going to pray namaz in Ani's ruins. We can consider it as a political show. While Turkey is gaining a momentum due to the Justice and Development Party's activities, NM is devoted to illusions, which demonstrates how much importance that party attaches to Turkey's problems," local news agency Cihan quotes him as saying.

Mr Guven's statement comes after Devlet Bahceli announced his intentions to pray namaz in the ruins of medieval Armenian town of Ani with his 40 party fellows.

"Our Minister of Culture Ertugrul Gunay has said the following: 'It is illegal to pray namaz in such areas that will involve masses of people.' And as a political party the NM must respect the law," said Mr Guven.