AKP's Metiner joins Arınç-Demirtaş debate: 'He is not someone who would say those things'

Imprisoned former HDP Co-Chair Selahattin Demirtaş issued a statement following the remarks made by 22nd Parliament Speaker Bülent Arınç after his visit to Edirne Prison, in which Arınç claimed, "He wants to meet with Erdoğan and say, 'I hold no grudge against you'." Demirtaş stated, "I did not even imply such a thing. What troubles me most is that thoughts and words I did not even imply are being attributed to me and conveyed to the public outside."

Demirtaş, who then made a second statement, said, "It would not be very appropriate to shift the agenda elsewhere while the Parliamentary Commission's visit to Imralı Island is being discussed. However, the debates and characterizations made over my name are also affecting the process, both directly and indirectly."

Expressing that he is within, alongside, and behind peace initiatives, Demirtaş emphasized that there can be no talk of competition, separation, or conflict between him and the leader of the terrorist organization PKK, Abdullah Öcalan. Stating that he holds no grudge or hatred toward anyone, Demirtaş said, "Should I ever reach free conditions one day, and if they accept, I would like to meet face-to-face with all political actors, including the President, Mr. Özgür Özel, Mr. Devlet Bahçeli, Mr. Ali Babacan, Mr. Ahmet Davutoğlu, Mr. Fatih Erbakan, Mr. Erkan Baş, Mr. Mahmut Arıkan, and Mr. Müsavat Dervişoğlu."

In a statement made after Demirtaş denied the relevant words without naming him, Arınç said, "I want to say very clearly that there is no 'distortion' or 'fabrication' in any of the sentences I conveyed. I stand behind the accuracy of the statements. It is impossible for me to accept the terms 'distortion' and 'fabrication' used in his statement today."

Bülent Arınç stated, "I have enough political experience to understand the reason for the statement he made today and which circles felt uncomfortable enough to convince him of the necessity of this statement. I am very sorry for them... I am not angry with Mr. Demirtaş for the ideas he shared with the public today, but I would like to express that I am hurt."

COMMENT FROM AKP'S METİNER

Joining the debate, AKP's Metiner stated that the meeting was based on trust and said the following:

"DID DEMİRTAŞ SAY THOSE WORDS OR NOT?

This is a conversation that took place between two people.

I do not find it right for any words to be shared without approval in a meeting based on trust.

It seems that whether or not Demirtaş said those words to the person who visited him will be debated for some time.

The sad part here is the shaking or destruction of trust.

I also met with Demirtaş one-on-one for two and a half hours at Edirne Prison.

I did not even hear a hint of those words from Demirtaş.

Therefore, let me state my personal opinion: Demirtaş is not someone who would say those things at all."

News Source: 12punto