Bülent Arınç had said 'He is my hero': Özgür Özel revealed who he called that day

Former Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) Bülent Arınç had used words of praise for CHP Chairman Özgür Özel while recounting a memory from years ago at the funeral of the father of a relative who was a FETÖ detainee.

FROM ARINÇ TO ÖZEL: HE IS MY HERO

Arınç had stated that Özel made efforts to have the handcuffs removed from his relative at the funeral ceremony, saying, "He is my hero. Özgür Özel protected my rights. I will not forget this."

Following Arınç's much-discussed remarks, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel spoke about the incident for the first time. Appearing on a live broadcast on Habertürk, Özgür Özel stated that the person he called by phone at the funeral ceremony was the then-Minister of Interior, Süleyman Soylu.

ÖZGÜR ÖZEL: THE PERSON I CALLED WAS SÜLEYMAN SOYLU

Özgür Özel said the following:

"That incident happened exactly as described. I had only told my advisor, Mr. Meriç. That is how it happened. He would not have been able to bury his father because his hands were tied. The person I called was Süleyman Soylu. I called the garrison commander, he told me to call the gendarmerie commander, I couldn't reach him. If I am not mistaken, Soylu was the Minister of Interior that day. I called the Minister. I explained the situation. Something like this cannot happen, we are in the middle of a plain.

"THAT DAY, THE AK PARTY MEMBERS BÜLENT ARINÇ TRUSTED WERE RUNNING AWAY"

There were 30 gendarmes around, rifles in their hands. Where would he run to? Let him say his prayers, let him bury his father. They gave permission. I also thank Mr. Arınç. Even if the person there were not Bülent Arınç but someone else, we would act the same way. Humanity is one thing, politics is another. That day, the AK Party members Bülent Arınç trusted were running away. The person was being accused of being a FETÖ member, and was later cleared of the charges.

"I DID MY HUMANITARIAN DUTY"

But because of his kinship with Arınç, things were happening. I did my humanitarian duty. I am not someone who would be labeled a FETÖ member just for attending the funeral of those accused of being FETÖ members. Saying 'Will I be understood as a FETÖ member if I am there?' is a lack of self-confidence. If you don't have self-confidence, you should quit politics."

News Source: 12punto