Recept Erdogan Defends Vladimir Putin Against Election Meddling Claims

Recept Erdogan's secular rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu on Thursday accused unnamed Russian actors of spreading "deep fakes" and other disinformation aimed at swaying the outcome of Sunday's vote.

President Recept Tayyip Erdogan on Friday defended Russia's Vladimir Putin from allegations of meddling in Turkey's crucial weekend election.

Erdogan's secular rival Kemal Kilicdaroglu on Thursday accused unnamed Russian actors of spreading "deep fakes" and other disinformation aimed at swaying the outcome of Sunday's vote.

The Kremlin "strongly" denied the allegation and Erdogan stood up for Putin at a televised campaign appearance on Friday.

"Mr. Kemal is attacking Russia, Mr. Putin. If you attack Putin, I will not be okay with that," Erdogan said.