First statement from Orkun Özeller after being detained! 'If you call a terrorist a 'founding leader'...'

Retired Colonel Orkun Özeller had been threatened and targeted by the Ülkü Ocakları (Idealist Hearths) following his criticisms of MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli, the architect of the new reconciliation process dubbed "Terror-Free Turkey."

Özeller, against whom Bahçeli filed a criminal complaint, was detained today on charges of "inciting the public to hatred and hostility."

Veryansın TV Editor-in-Chief Erdem Atay shared the details of his conversation with the detained Özeller.

In his first statement following his detention, Özeller said the following:

"If there is a crime of inciting the public to hatred and hostility, this crime is not in my words, but in the statements of MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli. If you call a terrorist a 'founding leader,' if you demand the 'right to hope' for him, and if you invite a terrorist to the Grand National Assembly, the public will feel hatred and resentment because of this. That is the crime!"

I just spoke with Colonel Orkun Özeller.
He is waiting at the courthouse to give his statement.

I asked him, "Is there anything you would like to say?"
He said the following:

"If there is a crime of inciting the public to hatred and hostility, this crime is not in my words, but in the statements of MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli. If you... https://t.co/Oz4wqBpBlp

— Erdem Atay (@medreyata) September 17, 2025

News Source: 12punto