Hot contact following 'You will know your place in the New Turkey' threats: The behind-the-scenes of Nihat Zeybekci's TÜSİAD visit... Criticism of the detention arrives

Following President and AKP Chairman Recep Tayyip Erdoğan's remarks, "You will know your place in the New Turkey," TÜSİAD President Orhan Turan and High Advisory Council President Ömer Aras were detained, a development that caused a major stir in economic and political circles. While debates regarding the detention process continue, a surprise visit came from the Justice and Development Party (AKP) front.

AKP Deputy Chairman in charge of Economic Affairs, Nihat Zeybekci, made notable statements during his visit to TÜSİAD.

BEHIND THE SCENES OF THE VISIT: "IT DEVELOPED SPONTANEOUSLY, I'M GLAD I WENT"

Speaking to the newspaper Ekonomim, Zeybekci stated that the visit was not a planned step but developed spontaneously while he was in Istanbul. He said, "A very close friend of mine had an important surgery last week. I spent two days taking care of him. I also had time. He said, 'Where are you, Mr. President,' and I said, 'I'm here.' It developed like that, and I'm glad I went."

"THE DETENTION WAS NOT ELEGANT, I CANNOT ACCEPT THIS"

Zeybekci also candidly expressed his personal discomfort with the manner in which TÜSİAD President Orhan Turan was detained. "During my time as Minister of Economy, I was the minister who issued green passports so that the business world could travel comfortably. I do not find it elegant for the TÜSİAD President to be taken to give a statement under police escort," he said.

Arguing that an alternative method to the detention process was possible, Zeybekci reacted by saying, "You could notify them in some way, saying, 'We are expecting you at this time on this day,' and they would come and give their statement."

"I CANNOT ACCEPT THE TRAVEL BAN"

Zeybekci also objected to the travel ban imposed on Orhan Turan. Zeybekci stated, "When you impose a travel ban on someone who employs thousands of people in this country and does billions of dollars in business, it is a judicial decision, and I respect it. But as a minister who issued those passports, I cannot accept this decision."

"I AM THE FIRST PERSON TO CALL THE TÜSİAD PRESIDENT"

Stating that he was the first person to call TÜSİAD President Orhan Turan immediately after the incident, Zeybekci said, "I am the first person to call him on the phone after this decision. Because I believe that such issues should be resolved through dialogue. It is my duty to be a bridge between the business world and the state."

At the end of his remarks, emphasizing that his statements were his personal opinion, Zeybekci said, "I am sitting here as an AKP Deputy Chairman, but what I have said binds me, not my party."

Zeybekci gave the following answers to the questions directed at him:

- So, how do you evaluate the criticisms made by TÜSİAD? They had criticisms on many issues, especially the judiciary.

- Perhaps one shouldn't say 'judiciary'; it might have been a slip of the tongue. If the TÜSİAD President had some wishes and hopes regarding the judiciary or the swift administration of justice, or the unconditional supremacy of justice, I would find that correct. Everyone should always be able to say this anyway. But if you enter a point about the politicization of the judiciary, that would be wrong. No politician should do that in any period; even if they feel that way, they should not voice it, and as a wish and hope, the judiciary should already be cleared of these accusations.

- Do you think TÜSİAD crossed the line?

I wouldn't say that. I believe that people in Turkey should be able to say everything within certain rules. People should be able to say everything, talk about everything. But of course, if you say, 'The judiciary has become politicized, the decisions it makes are political,' there will be a consequence for that.

- How was your visit received at TÜSİAD? Did you feel a sense of relief?

We already did a magnificent study with TÜSİAD around this time last year. We did a very important study three times in December, March, and April, for hours, even days. Then we compiled those studies and came here to organize them again.

What are your criticisms, what are your solution proposals, what are the pros and cons, what are the mistakes, and what are your wishes regarding the upcoming period that will be presented to Parliament or taken into account in the government's work? We did this study with about 28 non-governmental organizations. But I must confess, I received the highest quality work, which we call 'comprehensive and exclusive,' from TÜSİAD.