AKP issues statement on second day of Rümeysa Öztürk's detention: 'We are following the matter closely'

AKP Spokesperson Ömer Çelik made statements regarding the detention of Rümeysa Öztürk during a press conference held at his party's headquarters. Criticizing the detention decision, Çelik drew attention to certain approaches in international media.

Pointing out that Öztürk was detained for opposing the genocide being committed in Palestine, Çelik emphasized that what is happening is an 'injustice.' Stating that they are concerned with the issue, Çelik expressed that accusations of antisemitism are being used as a pretext to cover up the genocide. Arguing that what is happening is 'Islamophobia,' Çelik stated that they are 'following the matter closely.' Çelik did not provide information on whether any diplomatic initiatives have been taken for Öztürk.

While making assessments regarding Öztürk, Çelik claimed that CHP Chairman Özgür Özel was being directed, and used the following expressions:

''The crime attributed to Rümeysa Öztürk is her opposition to the Israeli genocide in Palestine. We are following the matter closely. A manipulation is emerging in the language of international media. This is the identification that Zionists use to cover up their own crimes. We are against Islamophobia.

We have stated it many times; we are against both antisemitism and Islamophobia. Opposing these genocide activities is synonymous with defending human values. Our President has been clearly expressing this on various platforms around the world for many years. And he shares this with all stakeholders in every environment. As in the case of Rümeysa, accusing those who oppose genocide of antisemitism is covering up the genocide.

Özgür Özel's speech is at a point where it cannot be called the speech of a politician. We have made our warnings from the moment his speeches began as targeting and manipulation. We know well the structure of his attacks on our President and our party, motivated by a constant need to receive approval from somewhere. It is known what it means for a chairman to confine himself to such a narrow space. It is clearly seen that the CHP Chairman is under tutelage.''

ÖZGÜR ÖZEL CALLED ON THE GOVERNMENT TO ACT

In a message shared before Çelik's statements, Özel criticized both US authorities and the Turkish government. Özel called for the immediate release of Öztürk. Reacting to Öztürk's detention, Özel called on the AKP to take diplomatic initiatives.

Stating that Öztürk shares the same fate as students detained in Turkey, Özel used the following expressions:

''I strongly condemn the detention of Turkish student Rümeysa Öztürk, who is pursuing her doctoral studies at Tufts University in the US state of Massachusetts, for writing an article criticizing Israel, the Palestinian suffering, and her university for ignoring this suffering.

The world is becoming increasingly unlivable due to the madness of leaders who say, 'I did it, so it is done.'

Rümeysa, who was detained in the US just for writing down her opinion, and the hundreds of students in Turkey who were unjustly, unlawfully, baselessly, and heartlessly arrested for protesting the government's March 19 democratic coup with peaceful demonstrations, are experiencing the same victimization.

I call on the government to take initiatives before the Trump administration without wasting any time for Rümeysa's release and the continuation of her education, and to immediately release the students who were sent to prison all over Turkey just because they wanted democracy.

Put an end to this heartlessness!''