Milli Merkez reacts to current developments: 'A climate of fear has been spread'

The Milli Merkez Movement, chaired by former Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) Hüsamettin Cindoruk, has issued a statement regarding recent developments in politics. The statement said, "Our primary demand is for politics to show the necessary seriousness and sensitivity regarding an independent judiciary so that the trauma experienced by the Turkish Nation during the Ergenekon process is not repeated." 

The full text of the statement is as follows: 

"The detentions and arrests that have been taking place in our country for some time lead us to believe that judicial independence is under threat, the principle of the rule of law is being damaged, and a climate of fear is being created through judicial decisions in an attempt to silence and intimidate dissenting voices.

The process that began with the call made by MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli on October 22, 2024, to PKK Terror Organization leader Öcalan, and which continues to maintain its mystery, has created a great reaction among the patriotic Turkish Nation, especially among the families of martyrs. Zafer Party Chairman Prof. Dr. Ümit Özdağ, who voiced this reaction and stated that he would not allow this process to proceed, was arrested and thrown into Silivri prison with artificial evidence produced during the detention process.

While Öcalan is being treated as an interlocutor by the TBMM, Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer was arrested for supporting a terrorist organization and a trustee was appointed to the municipality.

The wave of consecutive arrests also included Ayşe Barım, who manages artists, who was detained for professional reasons and arrested on charges of organizing the Gezi Park protests.

A climate of fear has been spread by summoning well-known artists who have influence in society to testify.

Halk TV, which broadcasts in line with the principle of free and impartial journalism, has recently been targeted by a management approach that has applied press freedom unilaterally for years and has chosen to keep the opposition press under pressure and target it. The journalists and executives of Halk TV, whose only purpose is to report news out of a passion for their profession, were detained, and a doyen of the profession, Halk TV Editor-in-Chief Suat Toktaş, was arrested.

Academic, author, and television personality Dr. Çiğdem Bayraktar Ör was arrested for insulting the President due to a social media post.

In a process where the Rule of Law is damaged and violations of judicial independence continue, restoring trust in the State will only be possible through loyalty to the Constitution and the Laws.

Our primary demand is for politics to show the necessary seriousness and sensitivity regarding an independent judiciary so that the trauma experienced by the Turkish Nation during the Ergenekon process is not repeated.

We respectfully submit this to the public's information.

Hüsamettin CİNDORUK

Speaker of the 19th Term of the TBMM

Chairman of Milli Merkez"