He had removed Erdoğan's portrait! DEM Party mayor gives statement

Mümin Erol, the DEM Party Co-Mayor of Tatvan in Bitlis, has given a statement following an investigation launched against him on the grounds that he removed the portrait of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan that was hanging in his office.

'IT WAS ALSO REMOVED IN CHP AND MHP MUNICIPALITIES'

According to a report by MA, Erol stated that there is no legal requirement for the portrait of AKP President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan to be hung in the office. Pointing out that Erdoğan's portrait has also been removed in municipalities held by the CHP and MHP, Erol said, "We did not keep the portrait of our own party's chairman in the room either. I did not utter any insulting words while the portrait was being removed. Furthermore, I did not engage in any act or behavior containing insults."

Emphasizing that the investigation is unlawful, Erol noted, "Today, we will also file a criminal complaint regarding 13 separate corruption files. We expect the prosecutor's office to show the same performance. This investigation, which is aimed at a specific purpose, has nothing to do with the law. I did not insult the president, nor did I insult anyone else. I do not accept the accusations leveled against me."

'HANGING THE PORTRAIT IS NOT IN THE LAW'

Erol's lawyer, Muhammed Acar, stated that there is no crime involved, saying, "There is no legal regulation requiring the president's portrait to be hung in an office. This matter is a recent practice of the AKP. It has no binding force. Furthermore, this situation is being turned into a tool of political pressure, and the judiciary is being instrumentalized in this way. In this period where we live in an environment of appointed trustees, making such accusations against my client and launching an investigation is in the nature of brandishing a stick, and it is paving the way for the appointment of a trustee."

Lawyer Diyar Orak stated that a lynching campaign had been launched against his client in pro-government media and requested a decision of non-prosecution. Lawyer Dilan Kanat Aksoy pointed out that the footage in question had been circulated previously but had not been the subject of any investigation. Stating that the investigation against his client was launched after the Minister of Justice's statement, Aksoy said, "The Minister of Justice does not have the authority to give instructions to judicial authorities."

A statement was made in front of the courthouse after the testimony procedures. Co-Mayor Erol emphasized that the judiciary must remain committed to the principles of the rule of law. Erol said, "Those who commit character assassination; this mindset will not take you anywhere. The law is necessary for everyone."

News Source: 12punto