Call for sanctions against Akın Gürlek in the European Parliament! 'We see him as the main actor'

Notable statements have been made regarding the Turkey report to be voted on in the European Parliament General Assembly on June 17. Vladimir Prebilic, a member of the European Parliament's Greens Group, stated that Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek is among the names proposed for sanctions in the draft text of the report.

Speaking to Cansu Çamlıbel from T24, Prebilic stated that they are calling for sanctions against Turkish officials whom they consider responsible for serious violations of human rights and fundamental freedoms. In this context, he expressed that they are proposing measures targeting the assets and accounts of the relevant individuals within the borders of the European Union.

HE STATED THAT AKIN GÜRLEK'S NAME ENTERED THE TEXT

Stating that Akın Gürlek's name is included in the draft text, Prebilic said, "Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek's name was personally included in the text here. Because we see him as the main actor in these politically motivated trials."

"WE PROPOSE FREEZING ACCOUNTS AND ASSETS"

Providing information regarding the scope of the sanctions they are proposing, Prebilic described them with the words, "freezing their assets and accounts within EU borders, and preventing them from conducting financial transactions."

Prebilic said that they also brought these demands to the agenda during their meetings with AKP deputies. Alleging that some ruling party deputies wanted Akın Gürlek's name removed from the text, Prebilic used the following expressions:

"In our meetings with some ruling party deputies from Ankara, they explicitly asked us, 'Let this name not be in the resolution.' They asked, 'What can we do to have Akın Gürlek's name removed from the text?' My answer to them was very simple. I said, 'You are asking the wrong question because there is nothing we can do to remove this name from the text. What will remove this name from there is what you do in Turkey.'"

Prebilic stated that the question in question was directed to him by İsmail Karayel, the AKP Co-Chair of the EU-Turkey Joint Parliamentary Committee.

"ENOUGH IS ENOUGH, WE ARE NOT JOKING"

Touching upon Turkey-European Union relations, Prebilic said, "Our message is clear; enough is enough, we are not joking."

Prebilic stated, "Whenever we bring up these issues, the Turkish side always brings up the topics of visa liberalization and the Customs Union. However, as long as the Turkish government does not change its stance in the areas of democracy and the rule of law, there will be no progress for Turkey in these areas. We are aware that your government is trying to present the situation to the public as 'The European Union hates Turkey.' We do not hate Turkey. But we will not help this government's agenda."

"PROGRESS IS NOT POSSIBLE WITH ERDOĞAN"

Stating that Britain, Iceland, and Ukraine are within the European Union perspective, Prebilic said in his assessment regarding Turkey that he does not expect progress due to the current political landscape.

Prebilic said, "I can say that this is the general approach in the European Parliament right now. As long as Erdoğan continues to rule the country with this regime, it is not possible for there to be any progress with the European Union. There is also no possibility of membership happening in any form. There is a clear majority in Parliament; we are tired of the practices of this regime. You will see this during the voting of the Turkey report on June 17 anyway."

News Source: 12punto