Striking comments from AKP figures on the attack against Özgür Özel: 'Clearly directed'

Stating that it is evident the attacker was directed to the scene of the physical attack on CHP Chairman Özgür Özel at the Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM) in Istanbul, AKP figures said, "The man doesn't know the AKM. He is making movements there. Because he doesn't know the place, he is making preparations in his own way. It is clearly directed."

Pointing out that the attacker had been staying at a hotel for a fee for about 4 months and had received an aid card from the Beyoğlu Municipality, the party officials noted, "It is clear that he came there to carry out that attack on Özgür Özel. That person resides in Beyoğlu, but because the incident developed spontaneously at the AKM, and because it was known that Özgür Özel would come there, he was directed there.

The man doesn't know the AKM normally; you can see this more or less from the footage.

He is making movements there… Because he doesn't know the place, he is making preparations in his own way.

It is clearly directed. In other words, this is not an ordinary 'I got angry all of a sudden and decided to slap him' incident," they commented.

"WE NEED TO LOOK AT WHO BENEFITS FROM THIS"

When asked, "What is the purpose here?", the AKP officials stated, "We need to look at who this benefits and who is using this. Mr. Özgür made a level-headed statement. Some within the CHP are using this and making strange statements."

"WE ARE IN CONTROL OF OUR OWN AGENDA"

When asked whether the fact that the attacker had a criminal record including murder and harassment would affect the recently discussed execution regulations, the officials made the following assessment:

"It won't affect it at all. We are doing our own work. We are in control of our own agenda. Why should we interpret the execution system based on a few specific incidents? People think that when someone commits a crime, the matter is finished by locking them behind four walls for a very long time. Are we going to rehabilitate people or are we going to destroy them?

Depending on the type of crime and the way the crime is committed, you already give a lighter or heavier sentence. If it is minor, you give a light sentence; if it is serious, you give a heavy sentence. But execution must apply equally to everyone. This is a universal rule. Because everyone, regardless of the type of crime they have committed, has the right to repent, to feel remorse for this act, and to be rehabilitated."