Here is the translation of the provided text: "7 Questions and 7 Answers from Süleyman Soylu to Özgür Özel: Response to 505 PKK Members"

17.04.2025 21:30

Former Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu responded to CHP Chairman Özgür Özel's statement regarding the terrorism investigation targeting the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IBB) by saying, "Anyone who claims that I said 'politically' regarding these 505 individuals, who should not be employed at the public institution IBB due to their identified connections and affiliations with terrorism, as determined by the state's information, documents, and investigations, is dishonorable."

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Former Interior Minister, Turkey Grand National Assembly (TBMM) Interior Commission Chairman and AK Party Istanbul Deputy Süleyman Soylu responded to the statements of CHP Chairman Özgür Özel regarding the 'terror' investigation at the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality on his social media account with the title "7 questions 7 answers".

"WE ARE WITNESSING ATTEMPTS TO DECEIVE THE PUBLIC, DISTORT THE TRUTH, AND COVER UP THE INVESTIGATION"

Stating that the public has been systematically misled following the 'terror' and 'corruption' investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against the IMM and other municipalities, Soylu said, "Especially in recent times, we are witnessing with sadness but not surprise the lies of CHP Chairman Özgür Özel regarding the warnings we have repeatedly expressed about the IMM, the ongoing inspection processes, and the findings that have been transferred to judicial authorities, as well as the attempts to distort the truth, deceive the public, and cover up the accusations and ongoing investigation. The findings obtained as a result of the investigations conducted during our ministry, intelligence analyses, inspector reports, and other relevant official documents have been shared with the public transparently both in writing and verbally many times. However, at this point, it is clearly seen that the public is being deliberately misled."

"IT HAS BEEN DETERMINED THAT THEY WERE HIRED WITHOUT SECURITY INVESTIGATIONS"

Indicating that various state institutions conducted inspections on the IMM and its affiliated companies during the 2019-2021 period, Soylu included the findings obtained in these inspections in his statement. Soylu noted: "It has been determined that there are records and judicial records indicating that a total of 1668 people are connected to and affiliated with terrorist organizations. It has been found that 484 of the 505 individuals, whose records could potentially hinder their employment, were hired without security investigations, and thus it was not researched whether they were connected to or affiliated with terrorist organizations and/or their situations were evaluated."

"ANYONE WHO DOES NOT PROVE THE CLAIM 'I SAID IT FOR POLITICAL REASONS' IS DISHONORABLE"

Stating that CHP Chairman Özel made an unfounded claim during rallies regarding 505 individuals, saying, "When asked about Süleyman Soylu, he said 'I said it for political reasons'", Soylu continued: "Those who have Prime Ministers hanged with imaginary lies will not be able to cover their corruption with imaginary slanders today. I call again: Anyone who does not prove the claim 'I said it for political reasons' regarding these 505 individuals, who should not have been hired at the public institution IMM due to their connections and affiliations with terrorism, is dishonorable. The 120 people who were hastily dismissed as soon as the investigation began, those who were urgently dismissed when the Diayder investigation started, those who were convicted due to the Diayder prosecution, and those who accused the IMM of cowardice for being dismissed due to terrorism and protested in front of the municipality will continue to face legal processes regarding unlawful hiring that are still ongoing in judicial authorities."

WHAT DID ÖZEL SAY?

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel targeted former Interior Minister Süleyman Soylu during a rally held by his party in Şişli on April 9, Wednesday. Reminding Soylu's statements regarding the 'terror' investigation against the IMM, Özel said, "Three years ago, they said there were 505 terrorists in the IMM, an investigation was opened, and they could not prove even one. Lawsuits will be filed on this. Not 505, not even one terrorist was opened." Özel also stated, "When this was asked to Soylu, he said, 'I said it for political reasons.'"