Bülent Arınç, one of the founders of the AKP and a former Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), made a notable statement on his social media account regarding the imprisoned Beylikdüzü Mayor Mehmet Murat Çalık and Eyüpsultan Mayor Mithat Bülent Özmen. Arınç described the two CHP mayors as "excellent, moral, clean, hardworking, and capable people."
Stating that he met Çalık about two years ago, Arınç conveyed that during their meetings in Ankara, Çalık told him he only wanted to serve Beylikdüzü. Expressing that Çalık has been battling a serious illness following his arrest, Arınç recounted that he visited the İzmir City Hospital, where Çalık is receiving treatment, and met with his family.
Saying that he met with Çalık’s mother, wife, and two sons in front of the hospital, Arınç noted that Çalık’s mother was in tears and that he told the family, "He will definitely be released, do not worry, justice will be served."
Arınç also stated that he met Mithat Bülent Özmen on the occasion of a meeting. Recalling that Özmen previously served at İGDAŞ and in the private sector, Arınç expressed that Özmen visited Eyüpsultan during his mayoral candidacy process. Arınç commented, "It never crossed my mind that such a fine person would one day be accused, or even accused due to a connection in Ankara."
REFERENCE TO CONSTITUTIONAL COURT RULING
In his statement, Arınç said that there are many people in prisons in similar situations, drawing attention to the process experienced by individuals and their families who wait in prison for months without an indictment being prepared against them.
Emphasizing his identity as a jurist, Arınç stated that the second ruling issued by the Constitutional Court regarding urban planner Tayfun Kahraman should be read again. Pointing to the debate over the violation of the right to a fair trial, Arınç said, "Those who prioritize law and justice should read the Constitutional Court's second Tayfun Kahraman ruling once more."
Emphasizing that he is not against investigations in principle, Arınç stated that investigations can be conducted if there is suspicion of a crime and strong evidence; however, he expressed that the procedures in the Criminal Procedure Code must be followed and that the "humanitarian, conscientious, and legal" dimensions of the process must not be neglected.
News Source: 12punto
