Tülay Hatimoğulları responds to Kılıçdaroğlu's Demirtaş statement: 'He is still defending it'

DEM Party Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları has criticized comments made by former CHP leader Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, in which he stated he had "no regrets" regarding the lifting of the parliamentary immunity of imprisoned former HDP Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş.

'WE WOULD HAVE EXPECTED AN APOLOGY'

Following Kılıçdaroğlu's remarks, Hatimoğulları appeared on Halk TV and emphasized that they had expected an apology from him on the matter. "I watched Kılıçdaroğlu. We would have expected him to apologize clearly," Hatimoğulları said, noting that they were waiting for an expression of regret.

Hatimoğulları further pointed out that it was known from the very beginning of the process that many politicians would be arrested if their immunities were lifted, stating, "It is a virtue to say, 'I saw it wrong, I was misled.' He is still defending it. We do not accept this. The logic that arrested our friends that day is the same logic that is issuing rulings today," she said.

Continuing her remarks, Hatimoğulları argued that everyone knows the justice system is used as a 'stick' by the ruling power, and that saying 'yes' to the lifting of immunities in such an environment is unacceptable. "How can you ask for immunities to be lifted when you know that the government is using the judiciary as a stick?" asked Hatimoğulları, underlining that the consequences of this decision were clear from the start.

Hatimoğulları reminded that it was foreseen that Demirtaş, Figen Yüksekdağ, members of the Central Executive Board (MYK), and elected deputies would be arrested following the lifting of immunities in parliament, and that this is exactly what happened, emphasizing that their dissatisfaction with the process continues.