Bülent Arınç on Melih Gökçek investigation: If the prosecutor calls, I will run to testify

Former Parliament Speaker Bülent Arınç made assessments regarding the investigation launched into Melih Gökçek, the former mayor of Ankara Metropolitan Municipality. Arınç stated that if he is asked about the allegations he raised against Gökçek in 2015, he would go to the prosecutor's office and provide testimony.

Speaking to Sözcü columnist İsmail Saymaz, Arınç expressed that he would participate in the process if called as a witness, saying, "If the prosecutor says, 'Please come, we will ask you these questions as a witness,' I will run there. I am a man of my word. I worked as a criminal defense lawyer for years. I know what testifying means."

Arınç emphasized that the matters he could recount are limited to the period before 2015. "Otherwise, these events are new; I have nothing to say about them, and I don't know anything. I don't like talking about hearsay. I will tell what I personally experienced and saw," said Arınç, noting that he would answer questions if the investigation expands to cover older periods.

Stating that he has no direct knowledge regarding the period after 2017, Arınç added, "I only hear things. In criminal law, hearsay is not considered serious."

When asked, "Why do you think the investigation was opened today and not when you said 'Parcel by Parcel'?" Arınç replied, "Oh, if only I knew that, if only I knew..."

In 2015, while serving as Deputy Prime Minister, Bülent Arınç had accused Gökçek of supporting the Fethullahist organization during a live broadcast. At the time, Arınç had said, "Gökçek has sat in the lap of the parallel structure and has sold parcels of Ankara to this structure. He has had schools built by wealthy businessmen," and pointing to the period after the election, he had stated, "If my life permits, I would like to talk about 100 issues regarding Gökçek starting from June 8th."

News Source: 12punto