Tuğrul Türkeş responds to 'Kavala' criticism: 'I did not make a reference to Türkeş'

AKP Ankara MP Tuğrul Türkeş had made statements expressing that the release of Gezi Park trial prisoner Osman Kavala and his continued detention were putting Turkey in a difficult position in foreign policy.

'I REQUESTED IT FROM YILMAZ TUNÇ'

In an interview with Gazete Duvar, Türkeş said regarding Gezi trial prisoner Osman Kavala: "I requested it from our Minister Yılmaz Tunç. I asked for permission to meet at an appropriate time. I will visit him at some point. I will have seen Osman Kavala for the first time during that visit. This is what true nationalism and patriotism is. This is the nationalism I was taught. It is necessary to find resources for Turkey under the best conditions. Furthermore, I am the child of a father who spent 7 years of his life, 1/10th of his life, in prison," he had said.

'IT DOES NOT JUST ACHE THE BONES OF OUR LEADER...'

MHP Deputy Chairman Semih Yalçın reacted to Türkeş's statements by saying the following:

"Visiting a hardened criminal who has been convicted for acting together with separatists who rebelled against the state during the Gezi Park Events, and who is a tool and subcontractor of circles hostile to Turkishness and a registered opponent of the Turkish nationalism cause; does not just ache the bones of our late Leader; it also stains his surname and his political legacy. Visiting Kavala is not nationalism. On the contrary, it is humiliation; it is lack of nationality, lack of principle, and lack of character. It is direct support for separatist and Marxist actions and hostility toward Turks. We invite Tuğrul Türkeş to abandon his attempt, which will please the enemies of Turkishness and which will mean 'I approve of your actions' in terms of Kavala."

Türkeş responded to the "Alparslan Türkeş" criticism directed at him via social media.

Quoting from Mehmet Akif Ersoy's poem "The Old Woman and Omar," Türkeş said the following:

'I DO NOT MAKE REFERENCES OR CITATIONS TO THE LATE TÜRKEŞ'

"An answer from M. Akif:

Towards morning, the light had begun a little.

The village dogs are attacking like dragons,

They don't let us pass, but who cares?

The distance, I looked, is long; the load is heavy; Omar is wounded;

If a wolf snatches a sheep on the banks of the Tigris,

Divine justice will come and ask Omar for it!

What can Omar do; O Divine, humans are tyrannical and ignorant!

What is expected from Muhammad is asked of Omar...

Omar! Omar! How did you take this burden upon your back?

M. Akif Ersoy

It is clear that a comment is expected regarding the grievances, criticisms, and opposing views that came after the messages I shared on social media and the interview conducted. I have not made, and will not make, any reference or citation to the late Türkeş in any of my writings and/or speeches. They want to speculate on non-existent issues."

'I HOPE YOU ARE ALSO MONITORING MY OTHER 592 COLLEAGUES'

The subject is not a matter that concerns me or my family.

As we have underlined before, the issue is what is happening in Turkey and the international arena and making moves by anticipating how these will be resolved. Trying to take the subject out of this main goal and discuss the matter in familial and/or other channels harms the essence of the work. For this reason, I will never do this.

I am still looking for answers to the questions I asked about 3 months ago and my subsequent additional questions. I am one of the 593 deputies serving under the roof of the TBMM. I hope and wish that you are following, checking, and auditing my other 592 colleagues just as you are following, checking, and auditing me."