Kılıçdaroğlu responds to DEM Party's 'immunity' criticisms

Kılıçdaroğlu had reacted to the sentences issued in the Kobani Case, stating, "The scales of justice have been broken once again today."

DEM Party member Meral Danış Beştaş had responded to Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, saying, "The first break occurred when you said 'yes' to the lifting of immunities, despite saying 'it is unconstitutional, but yes'…"

Former CHP Chairman Kılıçdaroğlu responded to the "immunity" criticisms directed at him via his social media account.

Kılıçdaroğlu stated, "I had published a statement at the highest level opposing the unlawful decisions that emerged after the conclusion of the Kobani cases. I have followed with sadness the slanders on both social and national media, where some individuals and politicians either do not understand the issue, or, because it does not suit their interests, claim that 'you are the cause because you said yes to the lifting of immunities'."

"I HAVE NOT SEEN A LEADER WHO CAN CALL THE CURRENT GOVERNMENT A 'DICTATOR'"

In the continuation of his tweet thread, Kılıçdaroğlu used the following expressions:

I want to say without mincing words: Just as I have not seen any political leader other than myself who can call the current government a "Dictator," let alone calling them a "Dictator"; I watch with pity those who, because they are afraid to criticize Erdoğan, find a way to oppose this unlawful decision by saying, "Kılıçdaroğlu lifted the immunities."

"MR. DEMİRTAŞ IS A DEFENDER OF PEACE"

1- Terror crimes are not covered by immunity. Furthermore, there is no terror crime committed by Mr. Demirtaş and his friends, nor any that can be attributed to them. As Mr. Demirtaş emphasized in his defense, he is a defender of democracy and peace.

2- This being the case, Mr. Demirtaş has been imprisoned by a will that includes some party members who have agreements with the AKP regime, through a collection of lies and slanders, under the mask of "lifting immunity."

3- And the same will has sentenced this imprisonment through an unlawful, unethical, and unscrupulous trial.

"I WILL FIGHT"

4- The most important name of the will that imprisoned Mr. Demirtaş is Erdoğan himself. I will fight, even if I am left alone, against the imprisonment of Mr. Demirtaş and his friends by the will that Erdoğan leads and to which some within their own parties wink at every opportunity.

"I WILL NOT BE AMONG THOSE WHO LEAVE DEMİRTAŞ ALONE"

I will not be among those who leave Mr. Demirtaş alone. I am someone who has seen the love for me, and more importantly, the longing and belief in democracy and justice, in Van, Diyarbakır, Muş, Samsun, Kayseri, and all of Turkey during and before the election period. I have fought to the end for everyone who sincerely engages in politics and works for the existence and future of our beautiful country, and I will continue to do so! Today, the source of the price paid by Mr. Demirtaş, Mr. Can Atalay, and all other political prisoners is not the lifting of immunities, but their standing tall against the oppressive government and on the side of the people!

"MY ADVICE TO THOSE WHO CHOOSE TO BE ON THE SIDE OF POWER..."

My advice to those who choose to be on the side of power rather than justice behind closed doors, starting with their own parties, is to engage in politics with a sincerely patriotic understanding and to bravely tell the perpetrators about all the injustices committed.

I will never give up defending the rights of all my friends within all political parties who have paid a price, stood against the establishment, wanted the nation's bad luck to change, and fought for this cause.

The beloved Chairman of the patriotic Kurdish people, Mr. Demirtaş, and the apple of the eye of the people of Hatay, MP Can Atalay, are ours; let the crocodile-tear-shedding backroom negotiators belong to Erdoğan. As a Kurdish proverb says: Bila mirov kuştiyê şera be ne girtîyê rovîya be. Let a person be the prey of a lion, but not the captive of a fox…

Sincerity and Courage are Needed!

The Kobani cases have concluded, and I had published a statement at the highest level opposing the unlawful decisions that emerged.
I have followed with sadness the slanders on both social and national media, where some individuals and politicians either do not understand the issue, or, because it does not suit their interests…

— Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu (@kilicdarogluk) May 17, 2024

WHAT HAD HAPPENED?

AKP Chairman and Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu made a call to the opposition on March 17, 2016, saying, "Let us all lift the immunities together. There are currently 506 immunity dossiers waiting in Parliament; let us lift them all together. The AK Party has no files to hide. We have no reservations."

In April 2016, CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu announced that they would say 'Yes' to the constitutional amendment proposal submitted to the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey regarding the lifting of immunities, despite it being 'unconstitutional'.

The package for the lifting of immunities passed through the TBMM and reached President Erdoğan. President Erdoğan approved the constitutional amendment package on June 7, 2016.

The HDP politicians whose immunities were lifted were detained and arrested on November 4, 2016.