17.04.2025 14:42
The CHP leader Özgür Özel, who visited the detained Ekrem İmamoğlu, made a statement in Silivri. Özel reacted strongly to the TBMM President Numan Kurtulmuş, who announced that he would impose sanctions on the Deputy Speaker of the Grand National Assembly, Gülizar Biçer Karaca, in response to the reading of the Constitutional Court's decision on Can Atalay in the Parliament, saying, "I consider this a declaration of war."
CHP General Chairman Özgür Özel made a statement after visiting Ekrem İmamoğlu, who is detained in Marmara Prison in Silivri. Speaking about the Can Atalay crisis in the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM), Özel criticized TBMM President Numan Kurtulmuş.
Özel criticized Numan Kurtulmuş for insisting on not implementing the Constitutional Court's decision, stating, "Not reading the Can Atalay decision is a crime against the constitution. The one committing the crime is Numan Kurtulmuş." Özel added, "Gülizar Biçer Karaca may have saved Numan Kurtulmuş with her actions. She did it on behalf of the Assembly. Now they are making accusations about this action. Who are you? Not complying with the Constitutional Court's decision and blaming those who do."
"IF YOU'RE GOING TO USE YOUR AUTHORITY, YOU MUST STAND BEHIND YOUR DECISION"
Recalling that the decision regarding Can Atalay was not included in the minutes at first, Özel stated, "The minutes are the honor of the Assembly," and added, "If you are not going to use your authority, you must stand behind the decision that is read. Otherwise, you can never explain your neutrality to any of us, to Turkey, or even to your own conscience."
"HE HAS LOST HIS NEUTRALITY"
Özel recounted a dialogue from the past, saying, "What did you say at first? You said, 'Support us, support me.' What did I say? 'I am nominating a candidate for 2 years. For 2 years, you will act as a neutral speaker of the Assembly. After 2 years, I will not nominate a candidate against you; I will support you.'"
At this point, Özel argued that Kurtulmuş has lost his neutrality, emphasizing that "We are at the point where the zurna (a traditional Turkish wind instrument) has made its sound. We are at the point where the touchstone has been struck," indicating that there is no turning back in the process.
"I WOULD ACCEPT A DECLARATION OF WAR"
Özel concluded his statement with the following:
"I am telling Mr. Numan. Do not dare to declare war on us. I would accept a declaration of war. Do not threaten my deputy speaker! Do not threaten my secretary member! Do not take any unconstitutional steps from now on! I would accept a declaration of war."
WHAT HAPPENED?
The General Assembly of the Turkish Grand National Assembly (TBMM) convened yesterday under the chairmanship of Deputy Speaker Gülizar Biçer Karaca.
THE CONSTITUTIONAL COURT'S 'RIGHT VIOLATION' DECISION ON CAN ATALAY WAS READ
After the speeches, Deputy Speaker Gülizar Biçer Karaca officially read the Constitutional Court's (AYM) 'right violation' decision regarding Can Atalay, who is imprisoned in the Gezi case and a member of the Turkish Workers' Party (TİP) from Hatay, in the General Assembly.
REACTION FROM TBMM PRESIDENT KURTULMUŞ TO KARACA
Karaca's reading of the AYM decision caused turmoil in the General Assembly. AK Party deputies, stating that Deputy Speaker Karaca exceeded her authority and abused her position, left the General Assembly. While a debate broke out between AK Party and CHP deputies in the Assembly, a statement also came from TBMM President Numan Kurtulmuş.
"KARACA'S ACTION IS BOTH AN EXCEEDING OF AUTHORITY AND NULL AND VOID"
Kurtulmuş stated in his announcement:
Despite the common will formed in the Advisory Board, at the end of the meeting, Deputy Speaker Gülizar Biçer Karaca, contrary to the Constitution, the internal regulations, and customs, read the ruling part of the Constitutional Court's decision regarding Can Atalay to Secretary Member Sibel Suiçmez. The act of Deputy Speaker Gülizar Biçer Karaca reading a text to the secretary member contrary to the Constitution, the internal regulations, and customs is both an exceeding of authority and legally null and void.
"AN ILLEGAL PRACTICE"
In the session where all political parties sent get well messages to TBMM Deputy Speaker Sırrı Süreyya Önder, the TBMM was subjected to an illegal practice with a behavior that does not conform to customs and political courtesy. This behavior is also a disrespect to the person of TBMM Deputy Speaker Sırrı Süreyya Önder.
Additionally, according to Article 15 of the internal regulations, TBMM Deputy Speakers manage the General Assembly meetings on behalf of the TBMM President. The Deputy Speakers' authority to manage which meetings and sessions is determined by the "Presentations of the Presidency to the General Assembly" section of the agenda, and the TBMM President determines the matters to be included in the agenda. No TBMM Deputy Speaker can use the powers of this office against the will of the TBMM President. Any matter not determined by the TBMM President cannot be brought to the agenda of the General Assembly.
"I WILL USE MY POWERS"
As the President of the TBMM, I condemn Deputy Speaker Gülizar Biçer Karaca and Secretary Member Sibel Suiçmez, who have abused their duties with these legally null and void attitudes, in order to protect the dignity of the Supreme Assembly, and I declare that I will use my powers arising from the Constitution and internal regulations against them.