Bahçeli’s remarks on Öcalan and the reactions: He called Çakıcı his 'fellow nationalist,' will he call Öcalan that too?

MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli’s statements regarding Abdullah Öcalan, the leader of the terrorist organization PKK, have sparked public debate.

Bahçeli stated that Öcalan should come to the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) and declare that terrorism has ended. This statement was met with reactions in political circles and among the public.

These expressions by Bahçeli have brought back to the agenda Öcalan’s past remarks, in which he said, “My first membership was in the Idealist Hearths.”

This statement by Öcalan had previously appeared in interrogation footage. In his parliamentary group meeting, Bahçeli stated that Öcalan should join the Democratic Struggle ranks in the TBMM and announce that he has laid down arms and that the PKK has disbanded. Bahçeli's call was interpreted by political analysts as contradicting the MHP's historical stance.

Bahçeli’s previous support for organized crime leader Alaattin Çakıcı has also become a subject of renewed debate.

Çakıcı had made headlines in 2018 with his statements containing threats against CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. Bahçeli defended Çakıcı by calling him his "comrade-in-arms" and "fellow nationalist" (ülküdaşım), and had called for an amnesty for Çakıcı's release.

Çakıcı's release in 2020 following an execution regulation had previously reignited discussions regarding the MHP's ties to the mafia world.

In his social media posts, Bahçeli expressed his support for Çakıcı with these words: “Loyalty is not just the name of a district for us; loyalty is an unending commitment to our comrades-in-arms and fellow nationalists.” These remarks by Bahçeli led to increased criticism regarding the MHP's relationship with organized crime groups.

SNAPSHOTS FROM THE LIFE OF ALAATTİN ÇAKICI

Alaattin Çakıcı is known as one of Turkey's most recognized organized crime leaders. Born in 1953, Çakıcı rose to prominence in the criminal underworld by engaging in illegal activities in the 1980s. After the 1980 military coup, Çakıcı, who was tried due to his connections with nationalist groups, fled abroad with a fake passport in 1992 and was captured in France in 1998 and extradited to Turkey.

Entering prison in the 2000s, Çakıcı was arrested again in 2004 and served long prison sentences for various crimes. Çakıcı, who came to the agenda with MHP leader Bahçeli’s call for amnesty in 2018, was released with the execution regulation enacted in 2020. While in prison, Çakıcı wrote letters containing harsh expressions directed at President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and received treatment in hospitals due to health problems.

Alaattin Çakıcı is remembered as a figure who draws attention in the Turkish public with his relationships with political figures and his history of organized crime.

News Source: 12punto