Bülent Arınç's 'warning' remarks to Erdoğan! İmamoğlu case, justice, corruption...

Bülent Arınç, one of the founding figures of the AKP and a former Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), made evaluations regarding many issues on the agenda.

Responding to questions from Ruşen Çakır of Medyascope, Arınç stated that Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and other political figures arrested on corruption charges should be tried without detention.

“We arrest people with such vague expressions that regret is of no use later,” said Arınç, adding, "Detention is a measure, it should not turn into a punishment. Let us not forget that 67 percent of today's Constitutional Court rulings are due to the violation of the right to a fair trial."

Drawing attention to İmamoğlu's case, Arınç noted, “If trial without detention is possible, it must be carried out. Because trials with detention can end up being worse than the punishment itself.”

HE CALLED ON THE AKP: LET US RETURN TO WHAT WE PROMISED IN 2001

Evaluating the CHP's rise to the position of the leading party after the local elections, Arınç made a striking comment on the AKP's current political position, saying, “Today's polls show it this way or that. Reaching 50 percent seems difficult as of today.”

Stating that a radical change is needed for his party to regain strength, Arınç said that the AKP must return to its founding values. In the call he made in this context, he said, “Let us return to what we promised in 2001. Let us return to the trio of corruption, poverty, and bans.”

"TRUST IN THE JUDICIARY HAS BEEN SHAKEN"

Reminding that the vast majority of Constitutional Court rulings are made on the grounds of violation of the right to a fair trial, Arınç expressed that trust in the judiciary in society has been damaged. Emphasizing that more meticulousness is needed in judicial processes, he said, “Accusations should be made carefully, and the right not to be stigmatized and the presumption of innocence must be observed.”

"ERDOĞAN SHOULD NOT INTERFERE WITH THE JUDICIARY"

Emphasizing that he has been a “comrade in the cause” with AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan since 1978, Arınç underscored that the executive branch should stay away from judicial processes, saying, “But I would wish for him not to take sides in such events.”

Arguing that concepts such as “terrorist” and “traitor,” which are frequently resorted to in political discourse, have become hollow, Arınç criticized the hardening of political language, saying, “Their content has weakened. When these accusations are made against everyone, they have lost their weight.”

"JUSTICE IS MORE VALUABLE THAN BREAD"

Stating that Turkey's most fundamental need is 'justice', Arınç said, “If there is no justice, there is nothing. Today, it is even more important than bread and water. Because injustice also breeds economic crises. The sin of violating the rights of others is great. We must take every step we take knowingly and believingly.”

SUPPORT FOR THE RESOLUTION PROCESS: IT IS OUR DUTY TO FINISH THIS

Speaking about the resolution process, another important topic on the agenda, Arınç said that he supports this process today, in which he played an active role in the past. Stating, “It is our duty to finish this,” Arınç noted that the positive atmosphere around the DEM Party gives him hope.

"WE MUST FIGHT TERROR, NOT THE TERRORIST"

Touching upon the new opening process, which MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli is the architect of and which the government calls 'Terror-Free Turkey', Arınç stated that security-focused policies alone would not be enough. Saying, “We are fighting the terrorist, not terror,” Arınç emphasized that it is necessary to get to the root of terror for permanent solutions.

"THE RIGHT TO HOPE IS VALID FOR EVERYONE"

Finally, referring to the rulings of the European Court of Human Rights, Arınç stated, “The right to hope is valid not only for Öcalan but for everyone in the same situation. Hope is the most fundamental emotion that allows a person to live.”