Zafer Party spokesperson's statement on Selahattin Demirtaş: 'The same way'

Zafer Party Chairman Ümit Özdağ was arrested on charges of "inciting the public to hatred and hostility." 11 posts made from Ümit Özdağ's X (Twitter) account were accepted as evidence of the crime.

Zafer Party Spokesperson Azmi Karamahmutoğlu made statements regarding the issue while appearing as a guest on a live broadcast on Halk TV. Karamahmutoğlu's remarks on Selahattin Demirtaş drew attention on social media.

Karamahmutoğlu said, "We have always said that it is unlawful to try a politician while they are in custody for an uncommitted act when there is no suspicion of flight. This applies to Ümit Özdağ just as it does to Selahattin Demirtaş."

"NOT SPECIFIC TO THE INDIVIDUAL, BUT AS A MATTER OF PRINCIPLE"

During the program, when asked by Akif Beki, "This is not the first time this has happened to a politician. It has happened outside of coup periods as well; for example, we know of Selahattin Demirtaş in recent history. What did you or your party say when this happened to Selahattin Demirtaş? Did you say anything?", Azmi Karamahmutoğlu replied, "There was no official statement made by the party in that direction, however," and continued:

"Our stance has always been this: we have always said that it is unlawful to try a politician while they are in custody for an uncommitted act, an act that does not constitute a crime, or an accusation, when there is no suspicion of flight or tampering with evidence—and this also applies to Osman Kavala... We have always stated this as a matter of principle, not specific to any individual. Now, it is the same way here for Ümit Özdağ. It is the same way for Selahattin Demirtaş."