Özgür Özel's response to Erdoğan on 'apology': 'We focus on our work, Mr. Tayyip focuses on fighting'

Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel arrived in the Didim district of Aydın to attend the funeral of Ayşenur Ezgi Eygi, a Turkish-American activist who was killed in an attack by Israeli soldiers in the occupied West Bank.

Responding to questions from members of the press there, Özel replied to the 'apology' response given to him by AKP President Erdoğan.

Responding to President Erdoğan's words regarding the Gezi resistance, "Those who should come out and apologize are those who attacked the police and broke the shopkeepers' windows. Those who should apologize are those who caused billions of dollars in damage to the Turkish economy," Özgür Özel recalled Vera, the daughter of Tayfun Kahraman, who was sentenced in the Gezi trial. Özel said, "If someone is to be apologized to regarding Gezi, Vera started school without her father. Apologize to Vera."

Highlights from Özel's remarks are as follows:

'LEAVING THE FIGHT BEHIND IS A MATTER OF COURAGE'

"Erdoğan has one concern; polarization, tension, and preventing his political decline through this. First, he kept Dilruba on his tongue, then he badmouthed the lieutenants' oath-taking ceremony.

Our citizens no longer want polarization from us, but an embrace. We nominated 31 candidates in İzmir, and 29 were elected mayors. They were supposedly saying all sorts of things about this İzmir, speaking arrogantly. But the nation's message is clear.

I have not a single word to say that I would apologize for. I said, 'I apologize on behalf of whoever Dilruba hurt. Mr. Tayyip should also take a step.' Leaving the fight behind in this country is a matter of courage.

Let Mr. Tayyip apologize for Kadir Mısırlıoğlu's expression. The first imam they appointed to Hagia Sophia indirectly called Atatürk an infidel. What are we going to say to these people? Come on, apologize. If someone is to be apologized to regarding Gezi, Vera started school without her father. Apologize to Vera. I do not fight; I concern myself with the troubles of the citizens. If I have a fight, it is the fight against the citizens' poverty and unemployment.

'WE FOCUS ON OUR WORK, MR. TAYYIP FOCUSES ON FIGHTING'

This country wants service from the opposition. We are working like bees. We focus on our work, Mr. Tayyip focuses on fighting."

Repeating his call for early elections, Özel said, "Just as the nation saw the truth on March 31 and is satisfied with the decision it made, the end of November next year is the deadline. Let Mr. Tayyip come and relieve the citizens. Let the greatest referee decide. We have heard enough swearing and insults. We have seen the favor of our nation because we did not respond to these, and it will be the same from now on," he stated.

Speaking about the 100 thousand TL compensation lawsuit filed by AKP Kayseri Deputy and former Chief of General Staff Hulusi Akar, Özel made the following statement:

"I was not surprised. I said that Hulusi Akar received the curses of his friends and that they died without forgiving him. Hulusi Akar could not find anyone behind him. If he filed for 500 thousand lira that day and 100 thousand today, he is trying to save face. Let's come out and settle the score. Behind me are his fellow soldiers who know the words I said and know him, and they all filed petitions to the court to be my witnesses. They used to say 'Water sleeps, Hulusi Akar flows.' You can no longer flow. You will slowly take your place in the worst part of history. Let no one try to act like a bully by relying on the position they hold."