Devlet Bahçeli had defended him: A letter from Selahattin Yılmaz, who was arrested on allegations of 'preparing an assassination' against Aziz İhsan Aktaş

In an operation carried out across five provinces centered in Istanbul, 10 people, including Selahattin Yılmaz and lawyers Cem Duman and Semra Ilık, were arrested on charges of "membership in an armed criminal organization," "threats," "establishing a criminal organization," and "obtaining unauthorized benefits." The arrests were made following accusations of "preparing an assassination" against Aziz İhsan Aktaş, who had benefited from effective remorse provisions in the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) investigation.

Tensions in politics rose following the detentions and arrests. MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli stood by Selahattin Yılmaz, referring to him as his "fellow nationalist" and "comrade." Bahçeli also reacted harshly to the CHP leader, stating, "Özgür Özel's attempt to label Selahattin Yılmaz as a 'hired killer and assassin' in his speech in Aydın and his attempt to speculate over our party is the result of a shameful and debased language."

The response to these statements from Bahçeli came from CHP Chairman Özgür Özel. Stating, "I did not call anyone a hired killer," Özel claimed that Bahçeli's actual message was directed at his People's Alliance partner, the AKP. Özel used the following expressions: "You need to develop certain skills to engage in politics with Mr. Bahçeli. You need to understand his messages well. I did not call anyone a hired killer. But Mr. Bahçeli has not misunderstood this here. He understands. He is saying, 'Özgür, I am telling you, but you understand, my ruling partner.'"

A LETTER FROM PRISON BY Selahattin Yılmaz

Selahattin Yılmaz, who was arrested on charges of "preparing an assassination," sent a letter from prison to journalist İsmail Saymaz. Saymaz wrote about this letter in his column on Halk TV.

Saymaz's article is as follows:

"In the letter he sent me through his lawyer on his first day at Metris Prison, Yılmaz calls the accusation of having Aziz İhsan Aktaş shot a 'mental breakdown.' He claims that this setup was created both to discredit him and to intimidate Aktaş.

Yılmaz says the following:

'As a Muslim Turkish nationalist, we are loyal with our lives, our heads, and in every way to the People's Alliance, which is supported by my leader, the wise leader of the Turkic world, my elder Dr. Devlet Bahçeli. I do not want to discuss whether Aziz İhsan Aktaş is a right or wrong person. If he is doing something useful for the state and the government, I support him and stand behind, in front of, and beside him. How can a sane person say that I would have him shot? Moreover, who would benefit from me having him shot? Of course, it would benefit the CHP. In my opinion, the CHP cliques needed to use a known person to make (this event) resonate. They chose me.

I think the (goal) of this setup is both to discredit me and to try to intimidate Aktaş by threatening him in my name, thus preventing him from speaking. Can there be such a mental breakdown? It is said that I would do this job with my son, who has a very serious health problem. Only scoundrels would do this. If my son Alperen Göktuğ were to say to me, "Father, kill yourself before my eyes, and I will live one more month," I would sacrifice myself without blinking an eye. Those who organized this pathetic, vile setup are the ones who will remain trapped within it.'

'AN INCREDIBLE FRAME-UP'

Yılmaz states that at the Istanbul 6th Criminal Judgeship of Peace, where he was referred for arrest, he mentioned that a gas station near his house had been put up for sale at one point. He explains that he thought about buying the station but then gave up. He notes that it was later purchased by Aktaş. He says, 'It closed when the operations happened. I was curious about this and asked a few people. I received information that "they were raided."'

Yılmaz is very confused in the face of the assassination allegation…

He says the following:

'The person called Aziz İhsan became a confessor to be useful to our state. It is impossible for me to have this man shot. I am currently struggling with how to explain that I am innocent. As a matter of my political views and religious beliefs, I cannot harm such a man. There is something serious here, I cannot solve it. Someone is setting up a trap. The wolf will eat the lamb. No one was shot. We haven't even slapped anyone. We haven't sent anyone to his house. I am in the middle of an incredible frame-up.'"