Özgür Özel on 'coup' claims: The government refuses to accept leaving via the ballot box

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel spoke to İsmail Küçükkaya on Halk TV following the detention of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu this morning. Emphasizing that the detention decision was political, Özel addressed the government, asking, "Where do you stand in this coup attempt?"

Highlights from the statements made by CHP leader Özgür Özel are as follows: 

"There are multiple investigations. CHP has a primary election in 4 days. They detained our candidate İmamoğlu this morning. This was done specifically to happen on a Sunday. When we look at the polls, we see that the CHP is the leading party. In some polls, there is a 20-point difference. It is clear that İmamoğlu would defeat Erdoğan. İmamoğlu has defeated the candidates Erdoğan put forward against him 4 times. 

'THE GOVERNMENT REFUSES TO ACCEPT LEAVING VIA THE BALLOT BOX'

They tried to portray İmamoğlu as incompetent, but he won despite that. If I am 100 percent sure that İmamoğlu will defeat Erdoğan, he is 1,000 percent sure. He always says that whoever wins Istanbul wins Turkey. They are doing this for that reason. The nation will decide for itself who will govern the country. Someone who came to power through the ballot box does not accept leaving through the ballot box. Turkey is currently facing a coup attempt.

''SHAME ON YOU''

This nation will not surrender its ballot box. The nation always wins against the state. In all processes, including July 15. I am addressing Erdoğan from here. All coups are carried out with the government. The whole world looks at the main opposition and asks, 'Where do you stand in this matter?' I said we would defend democracy against the coup. Where do you stand in the coup being carried out today? I am asking the AKP and MHP, where do you stand in this coup? What is the difference between you and Kenan Evren? You are staging a coup against the ballot box that will be set up on Sunday. Shame on you. 

"EVEN IF WE ARE IN THE GRAVE..."

Even if we are in the grave, we invite people to the ballot box. Whether we are alive or in the grave, those ballot boxes will be set up and these coup plotters will be held accountable. We are also waiting for those who are not our members at the places where the ballot boxes will be set up. The coup was against you that day. I was on your side. Which side will they take?

Those who try to take away the nation's right to vote will eventually be held accountable. Both Mayor Ekrem and our party are entrusted to our nation."