Statement on Ahmet Özer from Istanbul Bar Association President Kaboğlu: 'I was kept waiting in front of the police station door for half an hour'

Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer was detained at his home in the early morning hours.

It was noted that the detention decision was issued due to various investigations being conducted into the municipality in Esenyurt.

Searches were carried out at Özer's home and at the municipality.

The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office stated that the investigation is aimed at identifying the members and activities of the PKK/KCK terrorist organization.

Özer was taken to the Vatan Police Headquarters as part of the detention.

ALLEGED 14 CONTACTS WITH INDIVIDUALS SOUGHT WITH RED NOTICES

The following statements were included in the announcement regarding the matter from the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office:

"Within the scope of the investigations conducted by our Chief Public Prosecutor's Office to identify the members and activities of the PKK/KCK terrorist organization;

Based on the evidence within our investigation file, it is summarized that suspect Ahmet Özer, who currently serves as the Mayor of Esenyurt district in Istanbul, has established an organic bond with the terrorist organization in a continuous and intensive manner, considering the organizational documents seized from terrorist organization members and also delivered to the organization's executive cadre located in the Qandil region of Northern Iraq (the appropriateness of his assignment to the so-called democratic autonomy project during the meeting held with terrorist organization leader Abdullah Öcalan on Imrali Island), the transcripts of conversations obtained as a result of the communication interception measure applied to him, physical surveillance reports, and the contents of the examined account movements, as well as his communication records with (694) different unique individuals who have judicial records due to their affiliation with the aforementioned terrorist organization over a period of approximately 10 years, and specifically his 14 contacts with terrorist organization executive Remzi Kartal (Co-Chair of KONGRA-GEL - Member of the KCK Executive Council - one of the individuals sought with a Red Notice); therefore, it is understood that there is strong suspicion of guilt that he has committed the crime of Being a Member of the PKK/KCK Armed Terrorist Organization;

In accordance with the decision obtained from the Istanbul Duty Criminal Court of Peace, the suspect was apprehended and detained in line with the instructions given to the Istanbul Police Department Anti-Terrorism Branch to conduct searches of his residence, workplace, and vehicles, to seize criminal evidence, and to apprehend and detain the suspect as of 06.00 on October 30, 2024. Search operations are still ongoing.

KABOĞLU: I WAS KEPT WAITING IN FRONT OF THE DOOR FOR HALF AN HOUR

Istanbul Bar Association President İbrahim Kaboğlu stated that this decision was unconstitutional and noted that they had not yet received any news from the Istanbul Police Department, stating the following:

''We cannot get any news from the Istanbul Police Department. It is our responsibility to protect human rights and contribute to their development. The incident we have witnessed since 05.00 this morning, including breaking into the office, is contrary to our Constitution.

As the President of the Istanbul Bar Association, I was kept waiting in front of the Police Department door for half an hour.

They should release him. If there is an allegation, he should be tried in accordance with our constitution.

According to our Constitution, we all have certain responsibilities. I invite the police department to comply with the constitution.''

News Source: 12punto