Ümit Özdağ to İsmail Saymaz: 'İsmail, don't you dare come here'

Zafer Party Chairman Ümit Özdağ has expressed his support for journalist İsmail Saymaz, who was detained 12 years later as part of the Gezi Park protests.

In a statement on his social media account, Özdağ noted that Saymaz has been an important name in the Turkish press for many years and that his approach to journalism is impartial and objective.

Özdağ stated, "I have followed İsmail Saymaz with great attention for years. Despite having sharp opinions and a firm stance, Saymaz, who displays a completely impartial approach when reporting news, is one of the bright faces of the Turkish press."

Addressing Saymaz, who became a suspect due to phone calls he made during the Gezi Park protests, Özdağ expressed that he could not understand this situation. Özdağ said, "It is impossible to understand how he became a suspect for making phone calls during a period of major social mobilization like the Gezi events. What would be suspicious is if he had not made any phone calls in such an environment."

Özdağ conveyed his well wishes to Saymaz, expressing his belief that the journalist would be acquitted and return home. Writing, "When my late father Muzaffer Özdağ was arrested in May 1963, I was the same age as İsmail's baby. My father was acquitted and returned home. İsmail will also be acquitted and return home," Özdağ concluded his words as follows:

"İsmail, I don't want you here, don't you dare come!"

I have followed İsmail Saymaz with great attention for years. Despite having sharp opinions and a firm stance, I have always thought that he is one of the bright faces of the Turkish press with his 100 percent objective and impartial approach to journalism when reporting news.
During a major social movement like the Gezi events… pic.twitter.com/gAkuCcgQRL

— Ümit Özdağ (@umitozdag) March 21, 2025

News Source: 12punto