Scandal in Rize: Police and municipal police teams hang AKP flags

A flag controversy that occurred ahead of the AK Party's 8th Ordinary Congress in Rize, attended by President and AK Party Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, has raised political tensions. The hanging of AK Party flags along the Black Sea coastal road under the supervision of police and municipal police teams drew sharp criticism from CHP Rize Provincial Chairman Saltuk Deniz.

Saltuk Deniz stated that the use of public officials in political activities is contrary to the fundamental principles of democracy. "We have encountered such scenes in Mr. Erdoğan's hometown of Rize before, but this is the first time we have seen state police and municipal forces personally assisting in hanging flags. This is a clear violation of impartiality," he said.

'RIZE IS THE COMMON HOMELAND OF EVERYONE'

CHP's Deniz emphasized that Rize is not just the home of one political party, but the common homeland of everyone living there, and said the following:

"Police and municipal officers receive their salaries from the taxes of all citizens. It is not legally or ethically correct for these officers to take part in a political party's event. Using public resources to hang AKP flags is unacceptable."

'IT WOULD BE DIFFERENT IF IT WERE THE TURKISH FLAG'

Deniz continued his criticism with these words:

"If these flags were the Turkish flag or the President's portrait, I would not criticize it. However, supporting the symbols of a political party with state power is contrary to the spirit of democracy."

Emphasizing that the state maintaining its impartiality is the cornerstone of a democratic society, the CHP Rize Provincial Chairman stated, "The use of public forces as a tool for a political party's propaganda can never be considered legitimate. The state must stand at an equal distance to all citizens."