CHP's Bülbül criticizes 'dual legal system': If you're not one of us, you're in jail
CHP's Süleyman Bülbül, during the deliberations on the 12th Judicial Package, argued that the government has created a "dual legal system" and criticized the judicial practices directed at the opposition.
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The "Bill on Amendments to Certain Laws for the Effective and Efficient Functioning of the Judiciary," known publicly as the "12th Judicial Package," has been passed in the General Assembly.
Speaking on behalf of the CHP Group during the second part of the bill's deliberations, CHP Aydın Deputy Süleyman Bülbül argued that the government uses the judiciary as a tool of pressure against the opposition.
Claiming that the Republican People's Party's march toward power is being obstructed, Bülbül said, "You are trying to hinder the Republican People's Party's march toward power and the leadership of our elected Chairman Özgür Özel. There is a dual legal system."
Asserting that the same practices are not applied in investigations into AKP-run municipalities, Bülbül asked, "Which AKP mayor did you take in a dawn raid at 4:30 AM? Which AKP municipality did you search without a lawyer present, or seize computers from? Which AKP municipality were you denied copies of digital materials?" Criticizing the investigations into bar associations and the trial of Istanbul Bar Association executives, Bülbül argued that the government is obstructing the right to defense, noting that in the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality case, presidential candidate Ekrem İmamoğlu was granted only six hours of defense time with his lawyers. Bülbül stated, "If you are one of us, you are free; if you are not one of us, you are in jail."