25.03.2025 17:21
The General Assembly of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) began its first session after Ekrem İmamoğlu's arrest in a tense atmosphere. The CHP group placed banners featuring İmamoğlu's photo on the benches. Following remarks made by AK Party Istanbul Deputy Cüneyt Yüksel regarding the CHP's actions, tensions escalated, leading to the CHP group chanting slogans.
After the arrest of Ekrem İmamoğlu as part of the investigation into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM), the first session of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) started with tension. The CHP group placed banners featuring photos of İmamoğlu and the phrases 'no surrender', 'either together or none of us' on their seats.
YÜKSEL SPOKE, TENSION ROSE
After AK Party Istanbul Deputy and Justice Commission Chairman Cüneyt Yüksel took the floor out of the agenda and described the actions against İmamoğlu in many cities as 'illegal', tension arose, and CHP deputies reacted by banging on their desks. In his speech, Yüksel stated, "Turkey is a democratic state governed by the rule of law. Respect for state institutions, judicial bodies, and public order is one of the fundamental pillars of our democracy. The right to protest democratically and peacefully is a right. However, causing these protests to turn into violence and engaging in activities that negatively affect national security and public order is something that no legal system in the world would permit," he said.
YÜKSEL'S RESPONSE TO YAVAŞ'S 'COTTON CANDY' REACTION: AN IRRESPONSIBLE AND UNCONSCIOUS EXAMPLE OF OPPOSITION
Yüksel also reacted to Ankara Metropolitan Mayor Mansur Yavaş, stating, "Turning a blind eye to all acts of vandalism and being disturbed by police officers distributing cotton candy to children is an example of an irresponsible and unconscious opposition," he expressed.
CHP TO AK PARTY: MEETINGS AND DEMONSTRATIONS ARE A RIGHT
CHP Group Deputy Chairman Murat Emir said: "Today we were prepared for much more irresponsible speeches here, but we expected a more prudent and conscious speech from Mr. Cüneyt, considering his education. First of all, do not repeat these lies; social opposition has risen against the coup of March 19. You are trying to criminalize these rallies because you are afraid of the public. But you will not succeed, just as you have never succeeded before. There was no misconduct in the mosque during these events; if there had been, we would have intervened first. It is the security forces that should prevent these. The right to meet and demonstrate is a right, and then it goes to the courts saying 'you could not protect public order in any other way.'
AKBAŞOĞLU: THESE ARE ISSUES BETWEEN THE JUDICIARY AND CHP
AK Party Group Deputy Chairman Muhammet Emin Akbaşoğlu stated, "These are issues between the judiciary and the CHP. This is an incident where processes initiated with the information and documents resulting from complaints of municipal council members and party members within the CHP are taking place."
CHP DEPUTIES CHANTED SLOGANS
In response, CHP deputies chanted slogans such as 'No to the coup', 'There is no salvation, either together or none of us'. TBMM Deputy Speaker Celal Adan gave a five-minute break to the session.