Aykut Erdoğdu, detained in the 5th wave of operations: 'This is not a corruption operation'

Former CHP MP Aykut Erdoğdu, who was detained on May 31 as part of the investigation into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) and has been held at Marmara Prison since June 3, has made his first statement regarding the operation. 

Speaking to the Cumhuriyet newspaper, Erdoğdu described the accusations against him as "irrational." Stating that he had previously expected to face charges such as "insulting the President" or "influencing the judiciary," Erdoğdu evaluated the current charges by saying, "I never thought I would face such an absurd accusation."

“A STRATEGIC STEP TOWARD REGIME CHANGE”

Expressing that the operations targeting the IBB do not only aim at a local administration, Erdoğdu said this is one of the most critical and strategic steps of a regime change. Erdoğdu stated, "This is not a corruption operation. This operation is, in all likelihood, the first step toward canceling and annulling the elections they think they will lose. We have transitioned to a system where the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) has become symbolic and the judiciary has turned into a disciplinary board for the regime. 'Enemy law' is being applied to dissidents," he said.

“THEY WANT TO CUT THE CHP’S ACHILLES TENDON”

Stating that Ekrem İmamoğlu is in the position of the CHP’s "Achilles tendon" due to both his personality and the public power he represents, Erdoğdu said, "This operation is an attempt to cut the CHP’s Achilles tendon. Erdoğan felt he had to cut this muscle, and I think he made the biggest mistake of his political life."

“ERDOĞAN IS ACTING OUT OF PANIC”

Aykut Erdoğdu stated that President Erdoğan is aware that the difficulties experienced in the economy will erode voter support, adding, "Erdoğan must have foreseen that he would lose votes by the election. For this reason, he has sought to redesign the opposition with the rhetoric of 'we will build a national opposition.' He is trying to divide the CHP from within and is doing this by using the judiciary," he said.

Arguing that the government will accelerate its own political collapse process with this policy, Erdoğdu said, "Erdoğan’s votes will continue to melt away. As his chances of winning the election decrease, the operations will increase. As the process deepens, the drama experienced by those arrested will grow. I am worried about receiving sad news from their families," he said.