Özgür Özel reacts to immunity move: 'Let them throw me in jail too'

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel made significant statements to the press following his visit to the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality. Regarding the immunity files prepared against him being sent to the Joint Committee of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), Özel stated, "I'm the only one left, let them throw me in jail too. If we were afraid of the iron, we wouldn't have boarded the train. Summaries of proceedings and immunity are not on our agenda."

Özel emphasized that they are not against the prosecution of local administrators, but that trials must be conducted fairly and swiftly. Stating that trial without detention should be the principle, Özel said, "None of our local administrators are exempt from prosecution. As long as the trial is fair and fast, and defense rights are not restricted."

Touching upon the recent legal processes in Istanbul, Özel reminded that detention should be an exception. "What we have seen in Istanbul over the past 100 days worries us. Situations such as the mass detention of company board members are contrary to the principle of a fair trial," he said.

"LET THEM THROW ME IN JAIL TOO"

Giving examples from past legal processes in İzmir, Özel recalled that Aziz Kocaoğlu was tried without detention and was acquitted. "If an arrest had been made that day, the person who should have been managing İzmir would have been imprisoned unjustly," he said.

Özel concluded his remarks by saying, "Let them throw me in jail too. If we were afraid of the iron, we wouldn't have boarded the train."

News Source: 12punto