President Erdoğan's response to Özgür Özel: "Declaration of War"

Beşiktaş Mayor Rıza Akpolat was arrested as part of an investigation into tender corruption. Following Akpolat's arrest, President Erdoğan, speaking at the AK Party's 8th Ordinary Provincial Congress in Konya, criticized the CHP, stating, "They know very well that the bigger turnips are still in the bag. One reason for their panic is this truth."

In response to Erdoğan's remarks, CHP leader Özel said, "We see and accept this declaration of war," adding, "The People's Alliance will not be pleased with the response it will receive from us. That ballot box will come before the nation in 2025. Those who obey their unlawful orders will also be held accountable before the judiciary."

ERDOĞAN'S RESPONSE TO "DECLARATION OF WAR"

President Erdoğan responded to Özel's remarks at the AK Party Adana 8th Ordinary Provincial Congress. "Now they are talking about a declaration of war," Erdoğan said, asking Özel, "For God's sake, what do you know that you think you know these things? Are you following the Beşiktaş Municipality? If you are still unaware of the recent developments in Beşiktaş and Esenyurt, then you should resign from this position."

"IF YOU'RE LOOKING FOR THIEVES, LOOK AROUND YOU"

Continuing his speech, Erdoğan stated: "Surely someone will come and take this duty from you. If you do not know what the nation knows, whose fault is that? If you are not following what 85 million people are following, whose fault is that? Instead of blaming the judiciary, why don't you fight against this plundering system that wraps around the CHP like a poisonous vine? If you are looking for thieves, look at the thieves surrounding you."