Ali Yerlikaya defends police interventions: Cites French police as an example

Protests were held in many cities across Turkey following the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. While the harsh interventions against citizens carrying Turkish flags during the demonstrations drew significant backlash, a statement came from Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya.

'OUR POLICE ARE WORTHY OF PRAISE'

Responding to the reactions regarding police interventions, Yerlikaya cited the interventions against demonstrations in Europe as an example and argued that security forces in Turkey are "disciplined." Yerlikaya stated, "Thank God, our heroic police are worthy of praise for their stance, patience, common sense, and their command, control, and discipline, as well as their adherence to them."

Congratulating the police force on their anniversary, Yerlikaya said in his statement, "Our language, our behavior, and our comments must be in accordance with both the law and ethical values," arguing that the interventions by security forces were within the legal framework.

Yerlikaya continued his speech with the following words:

''As a minister who is also responsible for the safety of those who hold these illegal demonstrations, I ask; what has happened at this point? 158 of our heroic police officers were injured while performing their duties. I want to say this with an open heart; look at the behavior of the police against those who hold illegal demonstrations to protest a law that will be passed or has been passed in some European capitals today, especially in France. It is indescribable. But thank God, our heroic police are worthy of praise for their stance, patience, common sense, and their command, control, and discipline, as well as their adherence to them.

Each one of them displays a stance we are proud of. In your presence, I both congratulate the holidays of my entire police force and security organization, who did not lose their patience, discipline, and common sense against those who engaged in these social events, these illegal protests, this violence, and vandalism, causing damage here and there, and applying violence to the police."

News Source: 12punto