MHP leader Bahçeli's remarks on 'Çetin Doğan' and 'headscarf': 'If it were me, I would have put him back inside'

MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli attended the Mayors' Consultation and Evaluation Meeting held at a hotel in the Kızılcahamam district of Ankara.

Following the meeting and lunch, MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli met with journalists for a chat. Bahçeli also answered journalists' questions regarding the current agenda.

"THIS IS AN AMNESTY"

The MHP leader said the following in response to a question regarding the release of retired commanders convicted in the February 28 case:

"The February 28 events were an incident that saddened the AK Party and the people who have supported it. Years have passed. Our President has decided to release them all by using his constitutional right. This must be understood very well. It is necessary to evaluate well what meaning this step carries. The President's humanitarian approach in using his authority given the intensity of living conditions in prison for these commanders, and his understanding that the age group over 80 is facing difficulties in continuing their lives in prison, led to their release. This should not be exploited. Saying 'This is an amnesty' or 'Article so-and-so of the Constitution' are not appropriate things. If a normalization process is being experienced in Turkey, the steps taken should be seen as an important step within it. Regardless of what anyone thinks or what idea they defend, when you consider people over the age of 80 who are struggling to continue their lives in prison, one should think of nothing but welcoming this with appreciation. This is the right thing to do."

"IF IT WERE ME, I WOULD HAVE PUT HIM BACK INSIDE"

MHP leader Bahçeli targeted Çetin Doğan, who was released in the February 28 case. When asked about the statements made by Çetin Doğan, one of the February 28 convicts released in recent days, who said, "An amnesty is being mentioned on television. There is no amnesty in question; it is the direct fulfillment of a constitutional duty by the President," Bahçeli replied, "The speech of Çetin Doğan, who came out of prison, was not appropriate in my opinion. If I had been the prison warden, I would have looked at the list of those benefiting from the amnesty and said, 'Çetin Doğan, you are not on it,' and put him back inside.

There are many people who have stayed in prison for long years and have been far removed from the conditions to continue their lives. If Turkey is to protect life, it is beneficial for people who lack the means to maintain life well under difficult conditions to be released not through amnesty, but through the President's conscientious and humanitarian approach, and to ensure they live a peaceful life alongside their families towards the end of their lives. The fact that he has used the authority granted to him by the Constitution for a group that is widely believed in society to have suffered the most injustice should be met with appreciation," he replied.

"HE ADDED A NEW COLOR TO THE REPUBLICAN PEOPLE'S PARTY"

When asked about his recent meeting with CHP Chairman Özgür Özel in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM), MHP leader Bahçeli evaluated the meeting with these words:

"According to them, the Republican People's Party has become the first party, but not according to us. I followed Mr. Özgür closely in Parliament. He has some characteristics. First, he is an energetic person. Second, he is an excited person. Third, he is a talkative person. Therefore, he added a new color to the Republican People's Party, but it is dangerous if this color turns into the 7 colors during sunset. But if it stays in the color of the sun, that is, if it remains a deep-rooted CHP, I think it could be useful. You know the colors of the sun, right? Every color is there. It should not turn into that."

"KARAGÜMRÜK MUST STAY IN THE SUPER LEAGUE"

Upon a journalist's question, "As a Karagümrük fan, how do you evaluate the progress of Beşiktaş?" Bahçeli replied, "I left Beşiktaş. I do not consent to Karagümrük being relegated. Karagümrük must stay in the Super League. This is also the customs (gümrük) of football. Whoever exceeds it will have passed through customs."

"IT IS NECESSARY TO STRENGTHEN EXISTING POLITICAL PARTIES"

Following a journalist's question, "Is there a need for so many political parties within the Presidential Government System?" Bahçeli said, "If you ask how many associations there are in Turkey, no one knows the number. But let's say there is a province in Anatolia, and every street has one. How many districts does the province have? They all have a branch there. They are not satisfied with the branch either. There are representatives from every village of every province in Istanbul. The signboards of associations in Istanbul have turned into political parties. There is no need for this much. The important thing is to strengthen existing political parties, strengthen their programs, and make them possess programs that produce solutions. These should be preferred more," he said.

"THE HEADSCARF ISSUE IS OVER IN TURKEY"

When asked about the words used by a defense attorney towards the presiding judge and members at the hearing held at the Ankara 1st High Criminal Court yesterday, Bahçeli said, "These friends have remained far behind the steps taken to ensure social peace in Turkey and to prevent certain things. The headscarf issue is over in Turkey. It exists in universities, it exists in health institutions. Any lady who wishes can continue from these places by covering herself. There is no meaning in carrying this now. I mean, why do they say this? To stir up society. These are assigned types. None of these make sense. They are troublemakers. Then how will they explain the pictures given by Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu during the Republican People's Party's election period? That is why this issue is over. Think as you wish. Live as you wish," he said.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Çetin Doğan, one of the February 28 case prisoners released by presidential decree, said in his statement upon leaving prison, "I spent half of my last 15 years in prison and the other half dealing with lawsuits filed against me. Unfortunately. Unless justice is established in Turkey, no institution will improve. Justice is something we all need. I hope this will be the last of such arbitrary arrests. An amnesty is being mentioned on television; it is not an amnesty. It is the direct, albeit late, fulfillment of a constitutional duty by the President," he had said.

News Source: 12punto