CHP leader Özgür Özel announces he has received threats: Gives message on candidacy

When asked, "Are you receiving threats?" CHP Chairman Özgür Özel replied, "I am, there are people who have been arrested. Of course, there is also a state protection order for us. But there are types who have been arrested for threatening my wife and daughter. Threats are coming, and I can say that appropriate measures are being taken accordingly."

Özel also spoke about the presidential candidacy of Ekrem İmamoğlu, who is currently detained in Silivri Prison. Özel said, "Ekrem İmamoğlu is the Republican People's Party's candidate until a formal election decision is made and the time for candidacy applications arrives. Because changing the candidate is no longer even in the candidate's own hands. 15.5 million people came and voted. When you analyze those 15.5 million people, things emerge such as people who have never stepped foot in the CHP in their lives coming and voting for the candidate in solidarity against that injustice. Ekrem İmamoğlu is the candidate of those people, and we will push all legal and political conditions and grounds until the very last moment for Ekrem İmamoğlu to be the candidate."

Responding to T24's questions, Özel made the following statements:

"IF HE CANNOT BE A CANDIDATE, WE WILL LOOK FOR THE MOST APPROPRIATE CANDIDATE"

If there comes a point where he cannot be a candidate, we will look back on that day to see who will win, who is the most appropriate candidate? Who can win with whom? If another decision needs to be made, and I hope it won't be necessary, we will make that decision all together, in unity and solidarity. The important thing is this; we will do whatever is necessary to change this government. Ekrem İmamoğlu's primary process is also related to this. We are waging this struggle because we believe this is the right thing to do in the process following his detention and arrest.

"IT IS FREE TO TRY, A TRUSTEE CANNOT BE APPOINTED"

A trustee cannot be appointed. It is free to try. I am saying it very clearly. It is free to try. A trustee cannot be appointed to the Republican People's Party. No one who has not been elected at the party congress can manage the CHP. We protected Istanbul's trust in Saraçhane and did not drop the flag placed in our hands; are we going to drop the flag of Atatürk's party? It is impossible. That part of the matter is very clear. One can expect any evil from the AK Party and the AK Party's management approach, but that is not such an easy task. What happened in Saraçhane between March 19-26 and the struggle we have waged from that day to this is so as not to drop the flag the nation placed in our hands. Because this is what politics is. You demand it, you say 'I will carry it,' and they give it to you. They watch to see if you carry it or not. They can take it back from the hands of those who do not carry it well. But they never turn their faces again to those who drop the flag. This is something I believe in. All my friends know this. The nation will not turn and look at your face again.

"THREATS ARE COMING, WE ARE TAKING PRECAUTIONS"

To the question, "Are you receiving threats?" he replied, "I am, there are people who have been arrested. Of course, there is also a state protection order for us. But there are types who have been arrested for threatening my wife and daughter. Threats are coming, and I can say that appropriate measures are being taken accordingly."

"THEY WOULD NOT DARE TO LIFT IMMUNITY"

Regarding the discussions on lifting parliamentary immunity, Özel stated, "It won't happen. They wouldn't dare. Because we feel that we currently possess a social immunity beyond constitutional immunity. Since everyone stood by each other in the square after the March 19 process, they also stand by me. Therefore, they would not dare to lift immunity and throw me in jail in such a process. That is not an easy task. I do not find the lifting of immunity to be right, regardless of which political view it comes from, and this turns into a new area of struggle and resistance for us."