First statement from Özgür Özel after court ruling: He responded to Bahçeli

Following the appointment of a trustee to the CHP Istanbul Provincial administration and the assumption of duty by the trustee committee along with Gürsel Tekin, notable developments have occurred.

The Provincial Presidency first moved to the Bahçelievler District Presidency; the provincial building then became the CHP leader's office.

CHP leader Özgür Özel arrived at his new office today.

Özel made the following statements:

"Dear members of the press, I would like to thank my esteemed co-chairs for making their first institutional visit. We are facing a great injustice. This building has turned into a winning building. This building won Istanbul. Because of the fact that whoever wins Istanbul wins Turkey, this building became a target. Even this building itself is subject to a lawsuit; even the cat in this building has become a veterinary matter.

These things happen because we win elections and do not bow our heads. While the CNN Türk reporter was doing their job; while addressing everyone who values my words there... I said that no one should react to them based on the institution they work for. Once again, I thank everyone here who values our words. Our press members are trying to perform one of the most important professions in the world. As the CHP and as the chairman, I wanted to repeat this.

'WE WILL STOP LIFE WHERE THERE IS NO DEMOCRACY!'

Two hours ago, this building was under occupation. There were police everywhere. The CHP in Istanbul as a whole objected to the trustee. They said, 'We want an extraordinary congress against the trustee.' An attempt was made to replace the elected will. We invited them to our 'father's house.' They came with 5,000 police officers. The building was blockaded. If a similar blockade had been implemented during the Ankara train station massacre, we would not have lost 104 lives. They took 50 times the precautions here that should have been taken there. They came with 30 people who had committed crimes against a trustee party. Our intention is not to stir up the streets, but to prevent trespassing...

The building is our building. All of our police officers are children of this homeland, but they are being used as tools for injustice here. Today, the occupation has ended. Mr. Bahçeli made a speech about 'peaceful actions from the CHP that will stop life.' Yes, we will stop life where there is no democracy.

I ask the MHP members: If someone were brought in to replace Devlet Bahçeli, would you not resist? Are these things that can happen? Therefore, no one should underestimate these matters. Our friends did not make anyone's nose bleed, but they were even prepared to die. Even the tear gas in this building is still clearing out.

'THE JUDGE WILL STAIN HIS RECORD AT A YOUNG AGE...'

We will see if the judge will stain his record with this black mark at such a young age following this decision. Our new district presidents will be elected in a few weeks. The work done will already be moot. We objected, and the next day he says, 'I have a hearing at the end of September, we will talk then.' He will not rule on this objection until that day... It is a mentality trying to keep this place under a trustee. We know who gave the order. Does the judge, who changed politics so much with an order he received at such a young age, not know that he will stain his record when the government changes?

'THE MINISTER OF INTERIOR IS AN INCREDIBLE MAN'

The Minister of Interior... He is an incredible man. When I am attacked, he is the first to call. I came out and said the Minister of Interior called. I say, 'I do not characterize this attack as political, an investigation will be conducted.' They are always the first to call. But when the day comes to grant us our rights, they go silent. I say I moved my house. I say I evicted the tenant and I will live there, and they say 'you cannot.' Well, anyone with a complaint goes to court.

All his colleagues are biting their fingers wondering if an injunction can be granted for this case. They tried to make the impossible happen. We are here from now on. We are standing tall. They cannot change our stance with oppression. We will not remain condemned to the place they have drawn for us. You can put up barriers for members of parliament, but you cannot put barriers on the path of the CHP. Our struggle will continue. Thank you all for your efforts. From now on, we will continue to perform our duties both at the provincial presidency and in our office here.

If this building is a working office and not a provincial presidency, how do you enter my house without asking me? If this building is a provincial presidency, every citizen can enter here. I am telling Ali Yerlikaya, if this is not a provincial presidency, then get out of my house, I don't want you here.