Özgür Özel responds to rumors of 'trustee appointment to Ankara Metropolitan Municipality': 'Instructions have been given to the MIT...'

Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel answered journalists' questions after attending a commemoration program for İlhan Erdost in Ankara.

Making statements regarding the agenda, Özel said the following about the investigation launched into DEM Party's Tuncer Bakırhan: "I do not agree with Tuncer Bakırhan's views and I oppose them, but he expressed an opinion, and this should be answered with words. It is not right to launch an investigation or start a debate on parliamentary immunity. I oppose those words in the strongest terms. I was not aware of those words on the bus that day. Even if I were, I would not have created a polemic there." Özel continued: "Launching an investigation into a political party leader because of the expressions they used, starting a debate on immunity, etc.—the situation brought about by managing the country in this way is obvious. I have no agreement with the controversial sentences of Tuncer Bakırhan, and I oppose them in the strongest terms."

Speaking about the arrest of Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer and the appointment of a trustee in his place, Özel said, "First of all, our stance on the Esenyurt issue is that those elected by the people are accountable to the people. If they have committed a crime, they answer to the court. Once the court concludes and the verdict is finalized, it announces its decision on behalf of the people. Appointing a trustee on the day the investigation begins, before that day, is to recognize neither the court nor the people."

ALLEGATIONS OF TRUSTEE APPOINTMENT TO ANKARA METROPOLITAN MUNICIPALITY

Regarding the rumors that a trustee will be appointed to the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality, Özel said:

"Melih Gökçek's troll armies, Melih Gökçek's various operatives and accounts are now bringing up issues regarding our Ankara Metropolitan Mayor that happened in the past and were deemed not to require an investigation, and some kind of investigation is being conducted, etc. On the other hand, I hear this: An instruction has been given to the MIT: 'Dig and dig, find something, let's make some kind of connections.' They should not attempt this; we are aware of everything."

Stating, "By the way, I had written a letter to the honorable MIT President," Özel continued:

"He had made a presentation to the AK Party Group; what presentation did you make to them, what is there that we need to know but don't? I said, if the AK Party has its own weakness regarding the FETÖ issue, say so; if information regarding security is being shared with the country's second-largest party, why are you withholding it from the largest party? The honorable MIT President had said that he received the letter on October 29 and would respond quickly. We are waiting for that response."

Using the expression "I do not think such a thing could happen within the MIT," Özel said, "But I have heard that there is an approach from someone in the Palace to the MIT saying, 'Investigate some things, involve the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality in these matters.' I expect the honorable MIT President to show sensitivity regarding this issue and inform me, my party, and all political parties in a short time."

STATEMENT ON DILRUBA KAYSERİOĞLU

When asked about his statement regarding Dilruba Kayserioğlu and the response given by Kayserilioğlu, Özel said:

"I don't know what she read or where. She is actually confirming it. I did not say Dilruba came on her own. Our friends, the friends who organized the event in İzmir, our provincial and district management, brought Dilruba to the seat next to me on the day I visited her, thinking they were doing something good for me. I said, 'This image is not correct, perhaps it would have been okay after Dilruba's correction.' Inside, I also told Dilruba, 'We are appealing your detention, you will be released very soon, perhaps you couldn't fully explain what you meant, it would be good if you corrected your expressions if there were those who were upset about this.' I already didn't say Dilruba came on her own."

"SÜLEYMAN SOYLU IS A POLITICAL CHAMELEON"

When asked about former Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu's past remarks that 'If the CHP comes to power, Öcalan will be released' and his recent support for the call made for terrorist leader Abdullah Öcalan, Özel stated:

"Süleyman Soylu is a political chameleon. What things was Süleyman Soylu saying about Erdoğan in the past? He called him to his side and he went running. He was the one who defended Erdoğan the most. In the past, he had affirmations regarding the resolution process, and after the resolution process was abandoned, he was one of the executioners of that process, defending the harshest process full of human rights violations the most. Süleyman Soylu is a political chameleon. There is no error in the analogy. If you see a horse change color while touring the zoo, you would be surprised. Why would anyone be surprised to see a chameleon change color!"