30.04.2025 20:50
Tense moments occurred between CHP member Ali Mahir Başarır and AK Party member Özlem Zengin in the General Assembly of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM). In response to Başarır's question, "In this country, does the police listen to people without an investigation by the Ministry of Interior?" Zengin reacted by saying, "What are we going to record in a place where everyone is being watched and what is happening on our phones is already clear?" The tension suddenly escalated due to the debate.
CHP Group Deputy Chairman Ali Mahir Başarır and AK Party Group Deputy Chairman Özlem Zengin experienced tension over the jammer and camera tape recording.
During a hotel visit, images of Ekrem İmamoğlu, who was arrested in a corruption investigation against the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality, showed that cameras were taped by his bodyguards and jammer-equipped suitcases were carried, raising tensions in the Grand National Assembly of Turkey.
"IS THE STATE LISTENING TO PEOPLE WITHOUT AN INVESTIGATION?"
CHP Group Deputy Chairman Ali Mahir Başarır reacted to the inclusion of the footage in the one-minute speeches of AK Party deputies, leading to a debate between him and AK Party Group Deputy Chairman Özlem Zengin about "jammers" and "camera tape recording."
Başarır, who reacted to the speeches of AK Party deputies, stated, "Some of our deputy friends are creating perceptions on topics they do not know, like a reporter from A Haber. With the information obtained from the file by the pro-government A Haber, it was claimed that Murat Kapki was associated with million-dollar cars, and 15 of these cars were also broadcasted on television, and the prosecutor's office towed these cars to a parking lot. It turned out that half of these cars belonged to a deputy in the People's Alliance.
They should not accuse anyone with dirty perceptions made without knowledge or hearing. The presumption of innocence has been trampled underfoot. The investigation that started on October 18 is about hotel footage from the first week of October. In this country, does the police, the state, the Ministry of Interior listen to people without an investigation? The footage from 12 days ago... The Minister of Interior says, 'I do not use a jammer.' You are the one listening; are you going to listen to yourself, but you are technically following people without a court order. The one committing the illegality is himself," he said.
"I HAVE NOT SEEN ANYONE STICKING TAPE FOR YEARS"
AK Party's Özlem Zengin responded to Başarır's remarks. Expressing that it might be appropriate for the Batman Provincial Special Administration to use a jammer due to it being a terrorist region, Zengin stated, "The one doing the taping is your own General Chairman, who said, 'This is protection, police.' This is not police; it is private security there. These friends are doing something that has no application anywhere. I have been in politics for so many years, and I have never seen anyone sticking tape anywhere. Moreover, in a place where everyone is being watched and what is happening on our phones is clear, what are we going to tape?
It is necessary to separate your General Chairman's statements into before and after the visit to Silivri. He receives a warning from there, and a new response is developed based on that. Because Mr. İmamoğlu wants to be everything. Although he is not a presidential candidate, he wants to be a candidate; he wants to be the President without wanting to be the Mayor of Istanbul. Additionally, he behaves as if he is the General Chairman of the CHP. What position does he want to fulfill?" she said.
"YOU KNOW YOU ARE BEING LISTENED TO AS WELL"
Başarır responded to Zengin, saying, "The powers, duties, and rights of the Parliament have already been curtailed. You are accusing someone of camera tape recording while trying to tape the mouths of 600 deputies. This is despotism. Why are you making speeches on WhatsApp? Because you know you are being listened to," he replied.
DEM PARTY ALSO JOINED THE DEBATE
DEM Party Group Deputy Chairman Gülistan Kılıç Koçyiğit also reacted to Zengin's example of the Batman Provincial Special Administration using a jammer for terrorist reasons in the jammer debate.
"Ms. Özlem, by using the issue of using a jammer as an example of Batman, said, 'It can be used in Batman; it is a nest of terrorism.' I do not accept this," said Koçyiğit, adding, "No work or transaction that is not legal can be done anywhere in the country for any reason. If it is done, it is called discrimination. Today, we know very well that it is this exceptional law that has brought Turkey to this state," he stated.