Statement from Mansur Yavaş after prison visit! 'Arrest should be the last resort'

Ankara Metropolitan Municipality (ABB) Mayor Mansur Yavaş arrived at Silivri Prison accompanied by Çankaya Mayor Hüseyin Can Güner and Member of Parliament Veli Ağbaba.

Yavaş is set to visit Halk TV Editor-in-Chief Suat Toktaş, Zafer Party Chairman Ümit Özdağ, dismissed Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat, and Esenyurt Mayor Ahmet Özer, who was replaced by a government-appointed trustee.

'THERE IS NO RISK OF FLIGHT, WHY ARE YOU ARRESTING THEM?'

Mansur Yavaş made statements in front of the prison after the visit. 

Yavaş stated the following:

"I always say this; no one is exempt from being tried, but there is no risk of flight. There is the presumption of innocence in law. Everyone is innocent until a court makes a decision. Then one must ask why they are under arrest. Özdağ says he was brought in for insulting the president, but it is said that a file was brought against him from Kayseri. Another arrest warrant was issued for Ahmet Özer. Why are you issuing an arrest warrant for someone who is already in custody? Without the rule of law, there is neither democracy nor human rights. In law, arrest is the last resort. It is better for a person to be unjustly detained than for a guilty person to walk free."

News Source: 12punto