AKP figure reveals: Bahçeli asked for forgiveness

AKP Istanbul MP Mehmet Salim Ensarioğlu made striking statements regarding the reactions he faced due to his past views and the shift in the political atmosphere at a time when discussions on the peace process have returned to the agenda.

MHP ASKED FOR 'FORGIVENESS'

According to Ensarioğlu, during his visit to MHP Deputy Chairman Celal Adan, he was met with the words: “Mr. Bahçeli says he should forgive us. We declared him a traitor back then. We cut off his hands and arms. Today, we have reached the point he was talking about.” In his statement, he added, “Later, I went to visit Mr. Bahçeli, and he said the same thing to me,” noting that Bahçeli had personally asked him for forgiveness as well.

“I WAS DECLARED A TRAITOR BECAUSE OF MY STATEMENTS AT THE TIME”

Recalling his public calls in 2014, Ensarioğlu stated that he had advocated for Öcalan to call on his organization to lay down arms on television under the conditions of that time, and regarding these proposals, he said, “I was declared a traitor because I said these things back then.” Explaining that he had proposed amnesty for those who did not use weapons, sentence reductions for those who did, and the departure of some organization members abroad at that time, Ensarioğlu emphasized that his views have not changed.

LEGISLATIVE CHANGE ON THE AGENDA

Ensarioğlu also made assessments regarding the scope of a potential amnesty in the public eye alongside signals of a return to the peace process. Stating that the repentance law targeting Kurds offended those in the mountains, Ensarioğlu said, “Now, one must think of the same thing for Turks as well. This needs to be solved without exaggerating or dragging it out. We are talking about the deaths of 50,000 to 100,000 people.”

Furthermore, pointing out that a law could be passed before Parliament goes into recess, he said, “If a person who has never used a weapon has gone to the mountains and you give them 15 years in prison, they will not come down. You must pardon this with a law, then they will return home. Or wherever they choose to go. In my opinion, the passage of such a law is important, even if not extremely urgent, and it should be enacted.”

News Source: 12punto