Former CHP Chairman Altan Öymen: 'I do not recall such a process in my political life'

Hazal Güven - 12punto.com.tr

A large number of individuals, including Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, were detained in dawn operations. It was learned that the detention decision regarding İmamoğlu stems from two separate investigations. 

Reactions grew like an avalanche following the detentions. The new wave of operations against Ekrem İmamoğlu, whose undergraduate diploma was revoked just yesterday as a result of a 'fake diploma' investigation opened against him, has been reflected in both politics and the streets. 

Evaluating his views on the events for 12punto, former CHP Chairman Altan Öymen said, "There is an attempt to make it impossible for Ekrem İmamoğlu to continue his candidacy. It is a situation that is open to criticism from every angle. However, I do not recall such a process in either my journalism career or my political life."  

Pointing to the crowds that took to the streets to protest the operations, Öymen stated, "It must be remembered that in Turkey, the CHP has stood tall with its own name and its own history for 100 years. Despite being banned for 12 years in between, and despite coups, we have not given up on democracy and we will not give up. We have been seeing this since this morning. There are demonstrations. They are being banned everywhere, but they are not ending anywhere."  

'THEY ARE BEING BANNED EVERYWHERE BUT THEY ARE NOT ENDING ANYWHERE'

Öymen said the following: 

"It has reached a point where it is no longer possible to comment that democracy is functioning well in Turkey. There is an attempt to make it impossible for Ekrem İmamoğlu to continue his candidacy. It is a situation that is open to criticism from every angle. However, I do not recall such a process in either my journalism career or my political life. Unfortunately, we see that in election processes, action is now being taken not to compete with candidates, but to directly prevent the opponent from being elected.

The wishes of the current government and the practices being implemented show this. But Turkey will overcome this period of crisis. I believe in this. This, too, will be overcome. Turkey has overcome many important events until now. It must be remembered that in Turkey, the CHP has stood tall with its own name and its own history for 100 years. Despite being banned for 12 years in between, and despite coups, we have not given up on democracy and we will not give up. We have been seeing this since this morning. There are demonstrations. They are being banned everywhere, but they are not ending anywhere."