YENİ Party Chairman Özgür Özel visited Sinem Dedetaş, who was removed from her post as Mayor of Üsküdar and released under judicial control in the form of house arrest following 90 days of detention, at her home.
Speaking to reporters after the visit, Özel stated that they were pleased that Dedetaş had returned home from prison, but that they did not consider the house arrest decision sufficient. Özel said, "We need to see Mayor Dedetaş on the streets of Üsküdar. We need to see her at the Üsküdar Municipality."
Stating that Dedetaş's morale is good, Özel said, "Of course she has lost weight, but we found her morale to be good. Mayor Dedetaş is a very strong administrator. She is already a very good engineer." Saying that Dedetaş's heart beats for Üsküdar, Istanbul, and "good deeds," Özel argued that she should be at her post instead of under house arrest.
Özel said, "If this place is a 'Republic' and the name of the regime is democracy, then what the nation says goes. You do not defy the nation. Keeping Mayor Dedetaş inside this house is defying Üsküdar."
"A THRESHOLD HAS NOW BEEN CROSSED IN ÜSKÜDAR"
Claiming that the operations against municipalities were carried out for political purposes, Özel said that the process in Üsküdar had reached a critical point in terms of allegations of lawlessness. Arguing that Dedetaş enjoys broad support in the district, Özel claimed that the process against the municipality targets the will of the people.
Referring to the municipal council process, the election of the deputy mayor, and the developments that have taken place, Özel said, "A threshold has now officially been crossed in Üsküdar." In his statement, Özel noted that some municipal employees were also detained "innocently and without guilt," and conveyed that he felt a bittersweet happiness about Dedetaş returning home.
Özel said that Dedetaş received solidarity not only from her own voters but also from Üsküdar residents who voted for different political parties. Expressing their hope that the release decision would be the beginning of decisions in accordance with justice, Özel sent greetings to the municipal employees and political prisoners in prison.
"We send our greetings to all our friends inside, to all political prisoners, that is, to all our friends who have been deprived of their freedom for certain political calculations and have been separated from their spouses, friends, mothers, and children," said Özel, adding, "May this evil come to an end."
"MAY THIS EVIL COME TO AN END"
In his statement, Özel also wished patience for the families of other detained individuals. He stated that Dedetaş's return home was positive, but that this could not be considered sufficient in terms of the voter will in Üsküdar.
Özel emphasized that Dedetaş should be seen on the streets of Üsküdar and at the municipality again, saying that this was not his personal demand but a requirement of the will expressed by the people of Üsküdar at the ballot box.
News Source: 12punto
