Numan Kurtulmuş visits Özgür Özel! What was discussed in the surprise meeting?

Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) Numan Kurtulmuş paid a visit to the Chairman of the Republican People's Party (CHP) Özgür Özel.

FIRST STATEMENT FROM ÖZEL AFTER THE VISIT

While the meeting lasted approximately 30 minutes, Özel answered questions from journalists.

The CHP leader commented on the release of Ogün Samast, the murderer of journalist Hrant Dink, stating, "A hand has protected and looked after Dink's murderer. Here, deep forces are laying down the law right before our eyes."

"OUR STANCE ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL AMENDMENT IS CLEAR"

Özel responded to a question regarding his meeting with Kurtulmuş as follows:

"We met in an extremely sincere atmosphere. I thank him. We will discuss the internal regulations of the constitution after the local elections. Mr. Kurtulmuş said that he is trying to approach the Can Atalay issue as constructively as possible. Our stance regarding the mentioned constitutional amendment is clear. However, a process where the views of all parties on the constitution are taken can take place after the local elections."

"DEPUTIES MUST STAND AGAINST THE JUDICIAL COUP"

Emphasizing that they will not be part of a process that would legitimize the weakening of the Constitutional Court (AYM) and the non-implementation of its decisions, the CHP leader Özel said the following regarding the discussions on the parliamentary membership of Can Atalay, who is being held in prison despite a 'violation of rights' ruling:

"I did not get the impression that there would be a move to strip him of his parliamentary status within the next few weeks or in an environment where opposition parties are not present. We believe that all deputies must stand against this judicial coup."

"WE WILL NOT SURRENDER"

Evaluating the release of Hrant Dink's murderer Ogün Samast, Özgür Özel said:

"A hand has protected Hrant Dink's murderer and, when the day came, sent the message that this deep structure looks after its murderer. This is a challenge to the Republic of Turkey, which is a state of law. This is not the level of contemporary civilization targeted by Atatürk. Dark and deep forces are laying down the law right before our eyes. We will not surrender to this. This is a development that will be written in bold letters in Erdoğan's book of crimes against democracy. Which deep structure wrote this, history will show. But we will not surrender to this structure."

HE HAD ALSO VISITED OTHER PARTIES

Numan Kurtulmuş had visited IYI Party Chair Meral Akşener and Future Party Chair Ahmet Davutoğlu the previous day, and Saadet Party Group Chair Selçuk Özdağ at the party's group in Parliament today.

It is stated that the new constitution efforts and the situation of Can Atalay were discussed during Kurtulmuş's visits to political parties.