Amnesty claim regarding the 'opening process' set to dominate the agenda! 'For organization members involved in crimes...'

The National Solidarity, Brotherhood and Democracy Commission, established in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) as part of the new opening process initiated by MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli and referred to by the government as a 'Terror-Free Turkey,' held its 12th meeting yesterday. As the work continues, Nefes columnist Aytunç Erkin put forward striking claims in his article titled 'Pulse check conducted for amnesty for organization members involved in crimes.'

In his article, Erkin stated, 'The agenda is the CHP congresses and the party convention lawsuit, the agenda is the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality operation... Today, I will share with you a striking detail regarding the 'Terror-Free Turkey' process.'

Recalling the inside information shared by journalist Sinan Burhan on his program on TV100, Erkin made the following assessment:

'When circulating in Ankara's political circles, I learned that the information provided was actually a 'pulse check.' Ultimately, 'sentence reductions and subsequent probation for organization members involved in crimes' are being considered. However, the public's reaction to this is being measured.'

Aytunç Erkin, in his article titled "Pulse check conducted for 'amnesty' for organization members involved in crimes," noted the following:

The agenda is the CHP congresses and the party convention lawsuit, the agenda is the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality operation... Today, I will share with you a striking detail regarding the 'Terror-Free Turkey' process.

First, a brief reminder:

Journalist Sinan Burhan, known for his proximity to the government, stated on a television channel on March 11—eight days before the operation against Ekrem İmamoğlu—that he had 'insider information' that İmamoğlu would be arrested, and explained that this information had been sent to him via message by an executive of a political party under the People's Alliance.

The same Sinan Burhan shared another piece of insider information last Monday evening on a live broadcast on TV100, which I also attended. He said:

“A new step in Parliament.

An amendment will be made to Article 221, Paragraph 2 of the Turkish Penal Code (TCK) regarding those who are members of an organization but have not been involved in crimes.

-If the organization dissolves itself, the 'membership in an organization' charge for these individuals will be considered dropped.

-Therefore, individuals in this group will not receive any punishment.

Organization Members Involved in Armed Actions

There are different views on this category:

- First view: Implementing sentence reductions and subsequent supervised release for organization members involved in crimes.

- Second view: Trials and executions will be suspended without any sentence reduction.

- If the organization member does not get involved in any crime within a certain period, their release will continue.

- However, if they get involved in a crime, their sentence will be doubled.

This is not an amnesty, but a sentence reduction.

4- In this context, crimes other than terrorism could also be included in the execution regulation.”

The second point of the 'insider information' provided by Burhan is significant. What will happen to the status of organization members who have been involved in armed actions? The claim is that there will be a sentence reduction followed by supervised release for organization members who have been involved in crimes.

I immediately asked a legal expert who closely follows the issue about this claim. Their response was clear: 'Parliament will evaluate these matters. As far as I know, they have not yet begun these evaluations. However... I believe that proposals that would disturb the public, the families of martyrs, and veterans will not be accepted. For this reason, the commission needs to develop legal proposals with the broadest possible consensus.'

After wandering around the corridors of Ankara a bit more, I learned that the information provided by Sinan Burhan was a 'pulse check.' Ultimately, 'sentence reductions and subsequent supervised release for organization members involved in crimes' is being considered, but the public's reaction to this is being tested.'