The truth about Ahmet Özer has emerged: He was invited to Parliament in 2013...

CHP Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer was arrested and sent to prison on charges of membership in the PKK terrorist organization. It was also stated that a second investigation has been opened against him on charges of financing terrorism. 

Halk TV columnist İsmail Saymaz, in his column today, drew attention to the fact that Özer was a figure invited to the Parliamentary Research Commission during the past resolution process, and addressed this change within the process.

INVITED TO PARLIAMENT IN 2013 

İsmail Saymaz recalled that Özer's views were sought by the Parliamentary Research Commission in 2013. Making a presentation to the commission, Özer emphasized that the bonds of friendship between Turks and Kurds should be strengthened and presented data suggesting that the Kurdish people did not want to separate. In that speech, Özer criticized the organization by stating that the PKK's initial actions were directed against the Kurdish people as much as they were against the state.

Saymaz stated that at that time, Ahmet Özer believed that the AKP could contribute to the resolution process. In his presentation at Parliament, Özer proposed removing discriminatory and racist rhetoric from the Constitution and empowering local governments with more authority. Advocating for peaceful and diplomatic means, Özer supported the resolution process.

İsmail Saymaz reminded that, unlike Ahmet Özer, Orhan Miroğlu, whose views were also taken by the same commission, was elected as an AKP deputy despite holding much harsher views. Özer, on the other hand, joined the CHP, was elected Mayor of Esenyurt, and subsequently, an arrest warrant was issued for him. 

MESSAGE FROM PRISON 

İsmail Saymaz reported that in a letter Özer sent him from prison via his lawyer, he denied the accusations. Özer claimed that his arrest was part of a strategy targeting Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu. According to this claim, the goal is to neutralize Ekrem İmamoğlu and his political cadre.

Özer included the following statements in the letter:

“I am a scientist who has dedicated my life to peace, written dozens of works and hundreds of articles to this end, and am known for my research in various fields, primarily the Kurdish issue.

Throughout my life, I have stood against terrorism and violence. I consider it an insult to be associated with a terrorist organization. The allegations directed at me in this setup are baseless; I reject them all.

I am an academic who made a presentation to the resolution commission upon the invitation of Parliament Speaker Cemil Çiçek.

I have been a member of the CHP for over ten years. I have had candidacies for deputy, Party Assembly, and mayor from the CHP.

I was not a candidate from the DEM Party or previous political parties..."