Statement from Özgür Özel regarding the tragedy where 12 soldiers were martyred! 'I cannot fathom it, after the funerals are held...'

Republican People's Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel attended the first hearing of the Kartalkaya fire tragedy case, which claimed 78 lives.

Speaking to members of the press regarding the case, Özel said, "We have all followed a process that has scorched our hearts, which all of Turkey has been talking about for a very long time, where the report written as a result of the expert appointment made in the first days was not accepted due to political motives, was rejected, was first called a 'pirate' report, and then it turned out that calling it a 'pirate' report was itself a pirate activity."

Özel also spoke about the investigation opened against him and the martyrdom of 12 out of 19 soldiers who were exposed to methane gas during a search operation in a cave in northern Iraq.

"I cannot fathom, nor can I accept, that such great irresponsibility and lack of precaution were displayed," said Özel, adding, "After the funerals are held, our colleagues will make efforts to have the matter investigated on the floor of Parliament. But one must also see that there is great negligence and great irresponsibility here. Once again, our hearts are burning, and we cannot accept this."

Özel also noted the following regarding the investigation opened against him:

"I would like to express that I find the investigation positive in terms of our judicial system. The investigation was opened by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office yesterday evening. I appreciate the step taken by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office—which knows itself to be the Chief Prosecutor of Turkey and, without a doubt, by stepping over the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor today and entering his jurisdiction, against a possible overreach of authority and boundary by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office—even if it was done in a rush on a Sunday evening, to protect its own jurisdiction and area of responsibility.

If an investigation is to be opened, the place for that investigation was the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. In that respect, it is a good thing. They can open an investigation against me, they can prepare a summary of proceedings; that is a separate issue. But I congratulate the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor for not giving an opportunity this time to the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor, who previously did not recognize the authorities of the Antalya Chief Public Prosecutor in the Ümit Özdağ incident, then the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor, and again the Kayseri Chief Public Prosecutor, who tried to teach them their profession, effectively treating them like doormats, and who acted with the insolence of saying, 'I am privileged. I was appointed by the gentleman. I recognize no borders, I recognize no limits. I look at this side of Istanbul, I look at that side. I look at Anatolia too. I look at everywhere.' He did the right thing."