Türkeş sets a date for Kavala visit: 'Should I go with Feti Yıldız?'

Tuğrul Türkeş, Head of the Turkish Delegation to the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe (PACE) and AKP Ankara MP, continues to face harsh rhetoric from the MHP following his announcements that he would visit the Gezi prisoners.

Speaking to Halk TV columnist İsmail Saymaz, Türkeş said the following:

'WITHIN 10 DAYS'

“It may have been thought that the People's Alliance would be affected. Because actions regarding the judiciary are almost considered an interference in a group's sphere of influence. I don't think there will be a problem within the AK Party.”

Türkeş stated that his son Uğur participated in the Gezi Park protests while he was a student at Ege University.

Was it Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç who called you?

Yes. Yılmaz (Tunç) is our friend. We served as MPs together.

When he called, did he respond to your criticism of him?

He said: “We were going to give you the news that very day, something came up, and in the meantime, you had already published the tweet.”

When are you going to visit the prison?

I will finish my work. After that, we will coordinate the day with the ministry. I am aiming for this weekend, but this meeting will take place by next week at the latest.

Can we say within 10 days?

Yes, within 10 days.

'I AM OBJECTING TO THE ILLEGALITY'

Are you going alone?

Well, who should I go with? Should I go with (MHP Deputy Chairman) Feti Yıldız as a lawyer? (Laughs)

Had you met with Osman Kavala before?

No, I haven't even encountered him.

By phone?

No, I don't know any of them.

Have you visited a prison before?

I visited my father.

Other than that?

I have no other prison visits.

Why do you want to go?

The process developed that way.

You objected to the MHP supporting the protests during the Gezi Park days. Is that correct?

What happened was this: Gezi Park started as an innocent youth movement because trees were going to be cut down. The initial youth movement was enriched by various organizations.

We were in the MHP. I was the deputy chairman. We were talking in the executive board. Atilla Kaya took the floor and said: “There are Gezi Park events. Young people are singing the National Anthem, walking around with the Turkish flag. We need to support them.” A discussion started. Should the MHP support it or not? Atilla and one or two friends said, “If we are not going to support this, what are we here for as the MHP?” I asked for the floor. I said: “I want to ask our friends something. Did we start the Gezi Park events? No. If we participate in this, can we stop it tomorrow when we say ‘Okay, that’s enough’?” They said “No.” I said: “Then we should not get involved in something we did not start, do not control, and cannot stop.” The negotiation concluded this way.

You were against the MHP participating in the protests?

Yes, it is not clear who is doing what. PKK members are joining, DHKP/C members are joining. But one must distinguish the innocent youth movement from those who mix into it. My son Uğur was studying at Ege University. Later he told me: “I didn't tell you because I thought you would say ‘Don't do it,’ but I participated in the protests every evening.”

He participated and didn't tell you.

Yes, he participated with his friends. His friends know who Uğur is. They already have similar views. He says, “We blocked the road, we burned barrels.” Didn't the youth do this, for God's sake? But distinguish between two things. One must distinguish between the innocent protest movement of the youth and the terrorist organizations from FETÖ to DHKP/C and the PKK entering and muddying the waters.

Is this where you object? Are you objecting to Osman Kavala and other prisoners being tried as responsible for the violent acts?

No. I am objecting to the illegality.

Which illegality?

You take a man from Gezi Park, nothing comes of it, you release him. You take him for espionage, he is acquitted, and when you realize he has been acquitted, you throw him back in for Gezi Park. Someone on TV, in the capacity of a lawyer, says: “Even if he was acquitted of espionage, there is strong evidence regarding this matter.” If I had the authority, I would kick this guy out of the bar association. (He says) “We decided to convict him, I don't care about the court's acquittal.” What kind of lawyer are you, how can I give you power of attorney? I am objecting to this.

What kind of reactions did you get from your party?

Positive. I haven't heard anything negative.

The President taking you to the TRNC was perceived as support?

I go to Cyprus every year.

It was interpreted that the President is not uncomfortable with your stance regarding the Gezi Park Case.

I think he was consulted on this last matter (the Ministry of Justice granting permission).

'I WILL VISIT ALL FIVE'

You will visit the other prisoners, right?

Yes, I will visit all five. Those in prison have happy expectations. I am going to win the hearts of the people there.

I was talking to Lütfü (Türkkan). He visits a prisoner once a month. We talked about “Let the permission be granted, let's go in one car, we'll chat on the way.” When my permission wasn't granted, Lütfü said, “How did it not come out? I tell my secretary, we write the petition, I go the next day, how does it not come to you?”

I informed our Council of Europe Parliamentary Group. A DEM Party MP from the group sent a message. “We also visit the same friends, permission is granted in a short time,” he said. This is a shame, this is a shame!

Why wasn't permission granted to you?

My guess is that it may have been thought that the People's Alliance would be affected. Because actions regarding the judiciary are almost considered an interference in a group's sphere of influence. There might have been some hesitation there. Otherwise, I don't think there will be a problem within the AK Party.

The MHP has an institutional statement.

I don't think any of them know the content of this file. What they say doesn't matter either.

News Source: 12punto