Neither the pain nor the conspiracies have ended

Müyesser YILDIZ / 12punto.com.tr

The commemoration held at Özenalp's graveside in Karşıyaka Cemetery was attended by his mother Samiye Özenalp, his wife Sema Özenalp, and his son Batu Özenalp, as well as his fellow inmates and comrades-in-arms, IYI Party Deputy Chair and Tekirdağ MP Selcan Taşçı, and Çankaya Mayor Hüseyin Can Güner.

Following a moment of silence and the singing of the National Anthem, his grieving wife Sema Özenalp spoke, stating that they have been trying to be a beacon against conspiracies for 11 years, but that even though the names and the courts have changed, the conspiracies persist, adding, "We will continue to react to what is happening at every opportunity."

"THE GREATEST PAIN IS THAT NO LESSONS WERE LEARNED"

IYI Party Deputy Chair Selcan Taşçı expressed that she found it difficult to speak and said the following:

"11 years ago, I did not have a political identity. I feel the same today as I did when I heard that the late Murat Özenalp had suffered a brain hemorrhage in prison and while we were waiting, and when we received the news of his passing. Countless children were left fatherless, and countless mothers were left with empty arms. The thing that pains me the most is that no lessons have been learned. Because of what has happened, we are creating a generation that is disconnected from the Republic and the state. If we cannot heal this wound, how will we protect the survival of the Republic, which is our goal? The fire burns where it falls; whatever we say is in vain."

Çankaya Mayor Hüseyin Can Güner also conveyed the greetings of CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, who could not attend the program as he was out of Ankara, and then spoke as follows:

"We are going through dark days, but we will eventually reach the light. As brave, courageous people, you are here 11 years later. If you are here, and if the youth are struggling, one must be hopeful. We do not want much; we want law and justice in the country. We will surely meet one day, and I hope no more pain will be experienced."

Retired Vice Admiral Atilla Kezek, who resigned from his post as Chief of Staff of the Naval Forces Command after the Supreme Court of Appeals upheld the Balyoz conspiracy verdict, explained that the conspiracies of that day have changed targets and are continuing against others, but that they will continue to hold those responsible accountable.

"THESE LANDS HAVE SEEN MANY TYRANTS"

Finally, KUMPAS-DER President Ahmet Tatar, also commemorating Rear Admiral Cem Aziz Çakmak, who lost his life in the same Balyoz conspiracy, and his brother Lieutenant Colonel Ali Tatar, who gave his life in protest of that process, noted the following:

"This pain was not endured in vain; these resistances in Mamak, Hasdal, Hadımköy, Maltepe, and Silivri prisons were not in vain. Those who were friends with FETÖ back then are applying what they learned from them against the entire public today. These lands have seen many powerful figures and tyrants, but none of them could keep this nation in chains for long. The nation broke those chains one way or another. What founded the Republic and what will keep it alive is our breaking of these chains. We will never refrain from struggling. If we have gratitude toward the Republic and Atatürk, everyone must put their hand under the stone."

After the ceremony ended with prayers for the late Murat Özenalp, those who attended the commemoration also visited the grave of the martyr of justice, Ali Tatar.

May they rest in peace.

News Source: 12punto