Journalist Zafer Arapkirli's 'mosque' response to Governor Gül: The state does not engage in provocation!

Protests continue across Turkey following the arrest of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu as part of an investigation launched over "corruption" allegations. While large-scale demonstrations have been held in Istanbul, particularly in front of the municipal building in Saraçhane, Istanbul Governor Davut Gül stated in a post on his social media account that security forces are maintaining a firm stance against the protests. While emphasizing that damage to mosques and cemeteries by protesters is a provocation, Gül announced that legal proceedings have been initiated against the violent elements of the protests.

Journalist Zafer Arapkirli criticized Governor Gül's statements, saying, "Using religious values as a tool for political propaganda cannot be an attitude to be proud of either."

In his statement on his social media account, Governor Gül said, "Our police force has been performing its duty with great patience and determination for 5 days against groups disrupting public order in Saraçhane. Individuals attacking our police with stones, fireworks, and similar materials are being identified one by one, and necessary judicial proceedings are being carried out against them."

Gül noted the following:

"Damaging mosques and historic graveyards is a clear provocation against the sacred values of the public. The individuals who carry out these despicable acts will be given the punishment they deserve. We urge our citizens to stay away from environments where masked individuals are present and not to participate in any unauthorized demonstrations. No attempt to disrupt public order will be tolerated."

"THE STATE DOES NOT ENGAGE IN PROVOCATION"

Following these claims, journalist Zafer Arapkirli made a statement on his X social media account.

Arapkirli used the following expressions in his post:

Destroying historical artifacts, and especially tombstones (around Şehzadebaşı and Beyazıt), is a despicable crime that cannot be accepted, no matter who does it. No one can defend this.

However, when there is no evidence yet, and moreover, when there is no finding regarding their state from the day before (an image that could be used for comparison), for the Istanbul Governor himself to go there, film a video, and put on a show saying, "Look, those who participated in the rally broke the tombstones last night," is a shameful provocation that cannot be accepted.

Using religious values, mosques, cemeteries, etc., as a tool for political propaganda cannot be an attitude to be proud of either.

We advise the Governor to direct his working hours toward investigating and punishing the Riot Police teams who were the perpetrators of the shameful attacks last night (beating young people by pinning them to the ground one by one with 10 people at once, dragging them on the ground, etc. - and with video evidence at that) and to spend his energy in this direction.

News Source: 12punto