Gathering in the Marmaris district of Muğla, the Marmaris Labor and Democracy Forces held a press conference regarding allegations of stock market and fund fraud. The statement emphasized that what has occurred cannot be viewed as "ordinary corruption" and highlighted political accountability.
Before the statement, a minute of silence was held for the 104 people who lost their lives in the Ankara Train Station massacre on October 10, 2015. The statement, which noted that "every pain for which no account is asked opens the door to a new one," argued that the fund scandal has reached an economic cost of 90 billion dollars, affecting approximately 2 million people, including 455 thousand victims and their families.
During the protest, banners and signs were carried reading "With the People's Money, the FUND-DIP Will Get Stuck in Your Throat!", "Those who sow misery reap anger, those who sow oppression reap resistance!" and "The profiteers will answer to the people!"
The press statement expressed that hundreds of thousands of people who trusted the system and invested their savings have been victimized. It was alleged that authorized institutions were aware of the claims but failed to take the necessary steps.
The Minister said 10 months ago that there was manipulation in the funds. The institutions knew; the only group that did not know was the citizens who invested their money. The former Deputy Head of MASAK says, 'This work cannot be done without political protection.' We ask from Marmaris: Was there an order for ten months saying, 'Do not pursue this robbery'? If so, who is the politician who gave that order?
The statement also criticized the assessments coming from the government front, such as "such events happen everywhere in the world." While it was noted that a parliamentary inquiry would be opened in other countries in the face of similar allegations, it was argued that in Turkey, those who issued warnings and journalists who brought the issue to the agenda were targeted.
The statement also reacted to the call by AKP Group Chairman Abdullah Güler for those alleged to have gained unfair profit to "return it," stating, "Those who have made the country dependent on the 'bread on hold' (askıda ekmek) practice are now starting an 'askıda vicdan' (conscience on hold) practice to beg for mercy from thieves. Your conscience may be left hanging, but this account will not be left hanging."
FOUR DEMANDS LISTED
At the end of the statement, the Marmaris Labor and Democracy Forces shared their demands regarding the process with the public.
- 1. The immediate establishment of a Parliamentary Research Commission was requested.
- 2. It was demanded that those responsible for the 10-month silence and the politicians who gave instructions, if any, be disclosed.
- 3. It was requested that the names of those who smuggled money abroad be announced to the public and that an initiative be launched to bring the money back to the country.
- 4. It was stated that not those who issued warnings but the profiteers should be prosecuted; and that the damage should be covered by seizing the assets of the perpetrators, not from the pockets of the people.
News Source: 12punto
