"My darling, sir…"

Mafia boss Ayhan Bora Kaplan, who is on trial for establishing an organized crime syndicate, responded to the presiding judge's question with "My darling, sir"…

The incident occurred during the tenth hearing of the case before Ankara 32nd Heavy Criminal Court…

The remarkable exchange between the Presiding Judge and Ayhan Bora Kaplan, to whom the question was directed, went as follows:

Judge: Why do they need you?

Ayhan Bora Kaplan: My darling, sir?

Judge: Why do they need you?

Ayhan Bora Kaplan: Pardon, sir. I said "my darling" — it just slipped out, I'm very sorry.

***

What the trial is actually about… 

Why the police officers who caught this gang leader were arrested…

I couldn't care less about Devlet Bahçeli and the MHP pretending to stand by Süleyman Soylu while covertly backing this gang leader without naming him…

Because it's all a dirty game…

None of that is my concern…

The stance taken by the coalition's secret partner makes it abundantly clear: once again, the "stones" will be tied down and the "creatures likely to bite" will be set loose…

Just as a special pardon was granted for Alaattin Çakıcı…

Just as Sedat Peker, wanted on a red notice, was never rounded up and brought in despite all his threats…

Just as the killers and instigators of Sinan Ateş — former General Chairman of the MHP's Ülkü Ocakları, a true-blue party man — are being shielded and protected…

It's happening again!

Wherever there is a nationalist mafia…

Wherever there is nationalist violence…

There, in all his fury and grandeur, stands Devlet Bahçeli…

He curses, he counts, he threatens — and in the end, he gets what he wants!

No one under his patronage can be touched.

Police officers are thrown behind bars — and when that isn't enough, they are subjected to extrajudicial execution…

Prosecutors are rendered unable to file indictments against him… 

Judges are turned into someone's "darlings"…

***

The man is on trial for countless murders, extortion, assault, gambling, drug trafficking, racketeering… In other words, for nearly every crime listed in the Turkish Penal Code.

Hundreds of years in prison are being sought against him.

Yet he is so at ease, so certain he will walk away with a "tiny" sentence, that he calls the judge "my darling"…

He doesn't take his detention seriously.

He doesn't care about the trial.

He sits slouched in the defendant's dock, most likely planning the new "business" he'll pursue once he's free.

And when the judge musters the courage to disturb his comfort and ask a question, he snaps out of his daydreams and lets slip, "My darling, sir."

Don't be fooled by his subsequent apology — he does everything deliberately…

He weighs every word he says to the finest detail.

He lets "my darling" slip out as if by accident, to tell the judge: "Don't push too far — the power is mine." 

***

Fine; let's forget about the rule of law…

Let's give up on judicial and judicial independence…

We know — all of that is in the past.

Anyone with a powerful uncle or a Devlet Bahçeli behind them will eventually wriggle out of even the most serious charges!

So be it…

But at least go through the motions of legal procedure and don't make such a farce of the whole thing, for goodness' sake!

We understand you have no respect for the judge, the prosecutor, or the police who caught you — but at least pretend you do.

Don't play with these people's dignity and expose their helplessness, emboldened by the knowledge that "they'll let you go anyway."

Let them play the role of the "tough judge," allow them to ask their questions…

Don't expose just how cozy you've become with the system.

We know you don't need it, but don't tarnish the "law" that everyone outside your circle will one day  

need.

Don't damage its credibility…

***

I want to close this piece by asking a question of the Honourable Presiding Judge, who was on the receiving end of this term of endearment:

"How do you feel, my darling?" 

If that question angered you…

Why didn't you say a single word to the defendant who addressed you that way in court?

Is it only me you have the power to stand up to?