Özgür Özel clarifies 'holding to account' rhetoric: 'AK Party supporters should not be worried, but...'

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel made striking statements regarding the successive judicial operations against his party's municipalities and the allegations of appointed trustees on the agenda.

According to T24's report, in a meeting with a group of journalists before the Düzce rally, Özel evaluated the developments not just as a “judicial process” but as a systematic political intervention, emphasizing that the struggle will continue to escalate by saying, “We are at a breaking point in history.”

“THIS IS NOT JUST A SHARED DESTINY WITH İMAMOĞLU, BUT A STRUGGLE FOR THE RULE OF LAW”

The CHP leader, who has been working with an intense schedule from prison visits to rallies, from trade unions to municipal visits, said that they are waging a struggle for law and democracy not only for Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, but for the entire country.

Answering journalists' questions before the rally in Düzce, Özel stated that they see the process not only as a political but as a historical struggle, saying, “We will continue without tiring, without getting weary, and without losing morale, believing in our righteousness, not by slowing down but by accelerating.”

“AK PARTY SUPPORTERS SHOULD NOT BE WORRIED, BUT THOSE WHO SET UP CONSPIRACIES WILL BE HELD TO ACCOUNT”

Clarifying the “holding to account” rhetoric he frequently voices at his rallies, Özel emphasized that these expressions are not intended to polarize society. “Those who voted for the AK Party should not be worried; we will not go after anyone, but we will not let go of those who set up these conspiracies,” said Özel, alleging that the accusations against CHP municipalities in particular were fabricated with political motives.

“THIS IS A POLITICAL OPERATION; IT HAS NO LEGAL BASIS”

Defining the recent operations against his party's municipalities as a “psychological war disguised as law,” Özgür Özel gave the example of the family of Kadriye Kasapoğlu, the former Private Secretary of the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, whom he visited upon arriving in Düzce and who was detained. “They take them, keep them inside for four days, one judge releases them, another judge arrests them. This is no longer a legal struggle, but a psychological one,” he said.

“WE CAN SOLVE THE TERROR PROBLEM THROUGH A DEMOCRATIC PROCESS, NOT BY EXCLUDING THE CHP”

Touching upon the new constitution call by AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and Parliament Speaker Numan Kurtulmuş's visit to the CHP, Özel expressed that they doubt the sincerity of the government. Emphasizing the contradictions regarding the Kurdish issue and the solution process in particular, he stated, “On one hand, amnesty for the leaders of a 50-year-old terrorist organization, and on the other, imprisonment for İmamoğlu, against whom the Court of Accounts could not find the slightest fault... This contradiction wounds the conscience of society.”

Özel stated that the CHP could be part of a solution table that centers on democratization, but that this would only be possible with social legitimacy and the consent of martyrs' families and the public. “I also told the Parliament Speaker; do not impose anyone on the table, seek consensus by talking to everyone,” he said.

RESPONSE TO KILIÇDAROĞLU: “THE PARTY IS UNITED, IT IS NOT MY PLACE TO COMMENT”

Özel was also asked about the social media message and the statement sent to TGRT by former Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. Kılıçdaroğlu had drawn attention with the words, “We will drown the enemies of the party once again in the inner sanctum of this party.” Özel did not directly address these words, but responded by emphasizing the election success on March 31 and the internal integrity of the CHP:

“I have nothing to say here. We are the leading party after 47 years. Delegate support, the squares, polls; everything shows this unity. It is not my place to comment here.”

“IT IS NOT LEGALLY POSSIBLE, BUT THAT IS NOT THE GOAL”

Özel also spoke about the trustee case on June 30. Stating that the MASAK report came back clean and contained no elements to support the accusations, the CHP leader argued that the goal of the case was not a legal outcome, but “to keep the CHP under debate during the process.” He sent a message to the public to be careful with the words, “Making the party a subject of debate is their greatest gain. Therefore, one must be smart and not let the party be debated.”

News Source: 12punto