Pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) Co-Chair Figen Yüksekdağ has said she frequently receives advice from her family members to wear a bulletproof vest during meetings and rallies.

Speaking to the Cumhuriyet daily on Saturday, Yüksekdağ said her family is very concerned over her safety because of verbal attacks from nationalist circles. “Due to the attacks, my brothers constantly caution me. They tell me to wear a bulletproof vest while outside. My husband is already used to this because he also comes from the political struggle [conducted by Kurds],” Yüksekdağ said.

Responding to current debates over her personal assets after a pro-government news portal claimed Yüksekdağ had transferred all her assets to her husband’s name, she said: “My husband saw the news and called me. He works for [advertising agency] Etkin. He does not have any assets, but he does have loans. I told him to declare his loans to the public in response [to the news report]. From time to time, they [those targeting Yüksekdağ with verbal attacks] also target my husband and family members.”