CHP Submits Parliamentary Question About Validebağ Grove

Main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP) Deputy Chairman Sezgin Tanrıkulu submitted a parliamentary question for Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu on Tuesday about allegations that the Üsküdar Municipality agreed to turn some parts of Validebağ Grove into a car park.

Tanrıkulu said the construction of a mosque, which will be built next to the grove, is only for show and that the land intended for the mosque will be allocated to a pro-Justice and Development Party (AK Party) company. Tanrıkulu asked to which company the mosque construction land will be allocated. “What is the name of the company that signed an agreement with Üsküdar's mayor for a car park on Validebağ Grove?” Tanrıkulu asked.

Tanrıkulu also claimed in his parliamentary question that the Üsküdar Municipality tried to bypass the decision of the İstanbul 7th Administrative Court, which ordered a cessation of the ongoing construction by changing the sheet and parcel numbers of the car park.

Police use water canons, pepper spray against Validebağ protesters

Tensions once again ran high near Validebağ Grove in İstanbul's Üsküdar district on Monday night with police using pepper spray and pressurized water against people. They were there protesting the construction of a mosque on a car parking lot near the grove.

Tension erupted after a group of protesters who wanted to enter the grove were not let in by the police. Some women who were affected by police firing pepper gas were treated in ambulances.

Main opposition CHP İstanbul deputy Kadir Gökmen Öğüt was in Validebağ to support protesters on Monday night. One of the police chiefs who were in command of the riot police accused Öğüt of being drunk and provoking people. After the argument police and CHP supporters clashed. Öğüt later left Validebağ with CHP supporters.

The construction of the mosque, commissioned by the AK Party-ruled Üsküdar municipal government and against an injunction from the İstanbul 7th Administrative Court, is continuing. Hundreds of riot police have been at the site wielding tear gas and riot shields to repel peaceful protesters and local residents.

Lawsuits against the construction of the mosque were filed by local residents and activists. The order to cease the ongoing construction was issued on Oct. 22, after which construction came to a halt, according to statements given by the Üsküdar mayor that day. Afterwards, despite the court's ruling, construction resumed and did not stop again until Oct. 30. Although it was unclear why the construction went on, some suggested that the Üsküdar municipality have a right to continue construction because the İstanbul municipality also objected to the decision to halt the construction from the İstanbul 7th Administrative Court.

(Cihan/Today's Zaman)