21.03.2025 11:31
The leader of the CHP, Özgür Özel, responded to the Justice and Interior Ministers who reacted to his words, "The streets are ours, the squares are ours," by saying, "You will respect the democratic response, which is the constitutional right of the people. Any order given against this is an unlawful order."
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After the cancellation of Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu's university diploma on the grounds of "Absence" and "Open error," the process continued with İmamoğlu's detention on March 19. Following İmamoğlu's detention, protests were held in many cities. CHP Chairman Özgür Özel responded to Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya and Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç, who reacted to his words during the demonstration held in Saraçhane, "The streets are ours, the squares are ours."
"YOU WILL RESPECT THE DEMOCRATIC REACTION"
In a statement from his official social media account, Özel said, "The perpetrators of this evil against Turkey have accused us of 'irresponsibility.' What can I say to those who try to twist our statements and come out on top? What we said is clear: 'In a democratic manner, without resorting to violence, without breaking or destroying, the streets are ours, the squares are ours.' You are oppressing both our police, whom you are forcing, and our citizens. You will respect the democratic reaction, which is the constitutional right of the people. Every order given against this is an unlawful order." he said.
WHAT DID MINISTER YERLİKAYA SAY?
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya reacted to Özgür Özel's words, stating, "Calling the public to the streets and squares is, at the very least, 'irresponsibility.' No one can pay the price for stirring up the streets; neither politically, legally, nor morally! I call on the demonstrators: Do not fall for the games of the provocateurs among you! Our police are on duty 24/7 to ensure the peace and security of our esteemed nation." he expressed.
WHAT DID MINISTER TUNÇ SAY?
Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç stated, "The right to hold meetings and demonstrations is a fundamental right. However, calls to the streets made through ongoing judicial investigations are unlawful and absolutely unacceptable. The place to respond to the accusations raised in the investigations conducted by the judicial authorities is not the streets, but the independent and impartial judiciary. Everyone should be prudent during this process; especially those in positions of responsibility should exercise more caution and care in their statements. It is not possible to change the facts by making provocative statements or threatening the judiciary. Judicial members do not receive instructions from anywhere when making their decisions, nor are they influenced by the streets; they only decide based on the content of the case. When the investigation is completed, the content of the file, the allegations, defenses, and evidence will be presented to the public with full transparency, and the material facts will be clearly revealed with their allegations and defenses. The independent and impartial judiciary will make the decision in light of the collected evidence, and the legal avenues for seeking rights against these decisions will be open to the fullest extent and subject to oversight within our legal system. During this process, it is necessary to wait calmly for the outcome of the investigation without making a prejudgment. There is no benefit to anyone in pitting our citizens against our police or stirring up the streets with provocations. Those who wish to disturb the peace of our nation will never be given the opportunity." he stated.
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