Ali Yerlikaya's jab at Ahmet Özer: 'The trustee of a city cannot be a supporter of terrorism'

Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya spoke at the "Turkey's Peace Meeting" held in Şanlıurfa. On Yerlikaya's agenda was the imprisoned CHP Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer.

NO CONCESSIONS

Stating that the attack on TUSAŞ once again revealed the goal of terrorist organizations that aim to destroy the country's unity, Yerlikaya said, "There are no concessions for those who set traps for our brotherhood."

JAB AT AHMET ÖZER

Minister Yerlikaya emphasized that terrorism is incompatible with democracy and stated that a democratic country can never view terrorism as normal.

Making a jab at Ahmet Özer, who was detained in recent days and subsequently announced to have been arrested, Yerlikaya pointed out that the relationship between municipalities and terrorist organizations cannot be accepted, stating, "Municipal Law No. 5393 clearly states how the process will proceed in the event that municipal administrators have ties to terrorist organizations."

Yerlikaya continued his words as follows:

"It is very clear what process municipal administrators will face if they are members of a terrorist organization under Municipal Law No. 5393. According to Article 45 of this law, in cases where a mayor, deputy mayor, or council member is suspended or arrested due to crimes of terrorism or aiding and abetting terrorist organizations—and in this recent incident, the mayor has been arrested—Article 46 of the same law states that 'an appointment to the mayoralty is made by the Minister of Interior in metropolitan and provincial municipalities, and by the governor in other municipalities.'

Our nation is among the first in the world to suffer the most from the scourge of terrorism. We are not only fighting against terrorists in the mountains or suicide bombers. We are also fighting against the sources that feed them. There are 30 metropolitan, 51 provincial, 922 district, and 399 town municipalities in our country. Regardless of their party, every mayor who keeps their distance from terrorism, displays a national stance, and fights against this scourge without any 'ifs' or 'buts' has a place of honor with us. However, it is our duty to hold those who are affiliated with terrorism accountable before the law on behalf of our nation. We have a 2,200-year-old state tradition. One cannot appear to be on the side of justice on one hand, while being one with terrorist organizations in their words and thoughts on the other. The trustee of a city cannot be a supporter of terrorism. The Republic of Turkey is a state of law. And this state has an owner. That is our beloved nation. If someone's compass attempts to point toward terrorism, the law says 'stop' to it, and conscience says 'stop' to it. Because there is no politics of terrorism. Terrorism is only to be fought against."

News Source: 12punto