Ümit Özdağ speaks to 12punto: 'The detention of İmamoğlu is a declaration of civil martial law!'

Hazal Güven - 12punto.com.tr

Zafer Party Chairman Ümit Özdağ, who was taken into custody in Ankara after being accused of making remarks about President Erdoğan and was sent to Marmara Closed Prison in Silivri following his arrest on January 21, 2025, answered 12punto's questions regarding the current agenda.

‘ENEMY CRIMINAL LAW IS BEING APPLIED TO İMAMOĞLU’

Regarding the detention of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu and his colleagues, he stated, “I believe that the action taken against Mr. Ekrem İmamoğlu is a civil martial law coup dealt against the rule of law and democracy. Turkey last experienced an operation of this scope during the Ergenekon-Balyoz investigations. Just as 'enemy criminal law' was applied to me, a similar 'enemy criminal law' is being applied to Ekrem İmamoğlu.”

‘ISTANBUL AK-SCHOOL!’

Regarding the cancellation of İmamoğlu's undergraduate diploma by the Istanbul University administration, Özdağ commented, “Following the decision it made, Istanbul University has turned into an Istanbul Ak-School.”

HE ADDRESSED AKP-MHP VOTERS

Zafer Party leader Özdağ also addressed AKP and MHP voters. Stating, “I would like to address the valued AKP and MHP voters, especially through you,” Özdağ added, “I believe that all of this not only severely damages Turkish democracy but is also a process that is not approved by conscientious AKP and MHP voters, and one that will alienate them from their own parties.”

The full interview with Ümit Özdağ is as follows:

More than 100 people, primarily Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu, have been detained. Among them are names such as Beylikdüzü Mayor Murat Çalık and Şişli Mayor Resul Emrah Şahan. All of these developments occurred as the CHP began its primary election process. What is your comment? Do you think it is still possible to hold an election under democratic conditions in the country?

“The first step of democracy is the right to vote and be elected, and we can easily say that democracy has been suspended while Ekrem İmamoğlu's right to be elected is being taken away. Turkey last experienced an operation of this scope during the Ergenekon-Balyoz investigations. I believe that all of this not only severely damages Turkish democracy but is also a process that is not approved by conscientious AKP and MHP voters, and one that will alienate them from their own parties. I do not think that a democratic election is possible in our country if conditions continue this way.”

As a result of the diploma investigation opened against Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) and Union of Municipalities of Türkiye (TBB) President Ekrem İmamoğlu, his undergraduate diploma was cancelled. What would you say?

“We are going through a process where the concept of judicial independence has not explained the situation in Turkey for a long time, and where a partisan group within the judiciary systematically violates the constitution and laws to punish a group of citizens. Following the decision it made, Istanbul University has turned into an Istanbul Ak-School.”

First of all, the objection to your detention was rejected once again. What would you say about your trial process?

“It is unacceptable that the indictment regarding the Kayseri incidents has not been issued on the 58th day of my detention. We expect it to be issued this week. The first hearing of the case opened on charges of insulting the President is on April 29. Since my being in custody for an alleged crime for which I should not have been arrested is a political decision, I was not surprised by the rejection of the objection to the detention. Turkey is a country where 'enemy criminal law' is applied against the opposition, and where opposition members are seen as second-class citizens and treated as such.”

In the İmralı process, which you have also been following closely, the PKK has still not laid down its arms despite days having passed since the call was made. What do you think? Do you think the process will conclude in a healthy way and reach a “terror-free Turkey,” as the government calls it?

“First of all, no conscientious Turkish citizen wants mothers to cry. And no one opposes the idea of a terror-free Turkey. However, we all remember what heavy destruction the first 'opening' process, carried out so that mothers would not cry, caused, and how the PKK terrorist organization abused the process. It is not right to sit at the table with terror before the terrorist organization accepts defeat. When you read the first and second statements made from İmralı, you see that Öcalan defines the PKK not as a terrorist organization, but as an undefeated insurgency movement. In his statement yesterday, Cemil Bayık also says, 'We could not remove the TSK (Turkish Armed Forces) from Kurdistan, and the TSK could not finish us off; we reached a stalemate.' When you negotiate with a terrorist organization that does not accept that it has been defeated, it is inevitable that it will put forward conditions that are impossible to accept. And now the PKK is doing this. And in Turkey, MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli appears to be the sole owner of the process within the ruling bloc. Bahçeli wants to achieve progress by encouraging DEM on one hand and threatening the PKK with 'founding leader Öcalan' on the other, but I do not see it as possible.”

How do you find the CHP's stance in the İmralı process?

“The CHP is not in an approach that could please either Jesus or Moses.”

Do you have a message for Ekrem İmamoğlu or the public from here?

“Just as 'enemy criminal law' was applied to me, a similar 'enemy criminal law' is being applied to Ekrem İmamoğlu. The detention of 105 people along with Ekrem İmamoğlu means the declaration of Civil Martial Law. I believe that (İmamoğlu) will resist this and continue the political and legal struggle from behind bars if necessary. May God help him.

I would also like to address the valued AKP and MHP voters through you. We may have voted for different parties, but we are all children of the same nation. We rejoice in the same music, we unite around the same sorrows. AKP and MHP voters must actively show their own parties and leaders that they do not accept their parties treating us as second-class citizens. As for voters outside the People's Alliance, they are angry and even carry a fear in their hearts in the face of what is being done. I cannot tell them not to be angry or afraid. Because both are normal reactions to what is happening in our country. However, there is no need to be hopeless. Take your anger to the ballot box. Continue the struggle by explaining your thoughts, your resentment, how your heart has been battered by the government, and that you do not deserve this, to the AKP and MHP voters on the street.”