26.02.2025 19:17
Özel, responding to the criticism directed at him by AK Party spokesperson Ömer Çelik for targeting the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), stated, "We do not interfere in the business or the internal matters of the TSK. My respect for the members of the TSK is infinite. My respect for the institutional structure of the TSK is infinite. However, we certainly have something to say to those who caused this decision to be made, to those who wrote the dissenting opinion there, and to those who have become so blinded as to engage in mobbing."
CHP Chairman Özgür Özel visited Emek Party Chairman Seyit Aslan at the party's headquarters. After the closed-door meeting, which lasted about 1 hour, Özel and Aslan made a joint statement.
"I AM NOT SAYING ANYTHING TO THE CHIEF OF STAFF OR THE MINISTER OF NATIONAL DEFENSE" Responding to AK Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik's criticism directed at him for allegedly targeting the Turkish Armed Forces (TSK), Özel stated, "We neither interfere with nor get involved in the Turkish Armed Forces. After 8 days of silence towards a person who swore in front of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, shook his hand, inquired about his well-being, greeted him, and smiled at him, and after certain groups attacked for 8 days, it was said, 'Launch an investigation,' and he was targeted. Young lieutenants were expelled from the army for saying, 'We are soldiers of Mustafa Kemal.' The commission president who put a note against the expulsion was mobbed, dismissed, and attempted to be handed over to another army. He was forced to resign and did so honorably. He did not surrender to this process. I am not saying anything to the Chief of Staff, nor am I saying anything to the Minister of National Defense. I am stating what I have heard and what I know," he said.
"OUR RESPECT FOR THE STRUCTURAL INTEGRITY OF THE TSK IS ENDLESS" Continuing his speech, Özel said, "I know who is behind this process, who is conducting this mobbing, and who is trying to inflate this situation. I have also mentioned their names. We neither interfere with nor get involved in the Turkish Armed Forces. But those who interfere and get involved have brought the country to this state. If you look at the command structure of the Turkish Armed Forces, you will see that 8 out of 9 admirals and 17 out of 20 generals are affiliated with FETÖ, and you will see who has interfered in the TSK's affairs. We have seen how they intervened and pressured the Turkish Armed Forces members over a matter that should not even be discussed, saying, 'We are soldiers of Mustafa Kemal.' Our respect for the members of the Turkish Armed Forces is endless. Our respect for the structural integrity of the TSK is endless. But of course, we have something to say to those who caused this decision to be made, to those who are so blinded by their rage that they would mob the one who wrote the dissenting opinion," he stated.
"HOPING FOR THE CANCELLATION OF THAT DIPLOMA IS A SIGN OF THE INCOMPETENCE OF THOSE WHO GOVERN THE COUNTRY" Özel responded to a question regarding the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's request for documents related to Istanbul Metropolitan Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu's diploma:
"While the diploma of the person governing the country is being debated, starting such a discussion knowing what the outcome will be; because it is clear that there is equivalence, and it is clear that it existed at that time. All documents have been completed, and there is no special process for the individual. Istanbul University has published an advertisement in the newspaper, inviting everyone to apply. Those from a year ago have already gone. When hundreds of people are in the same situation, hoping for the cancellation of that diploma is nothing but a sign of the incompetence of those who govern this country. It shows how much they fear Ekrem İmamoğlu. It shows how valuable the primary election process we conducted is. It is a situation that demonstrates how much Tayyip Erdoğan fears his rival and tries to eliminate him. If there is a political mind managing the AK Party, they must realize that they have taken the most wrong step politically, and those who used to follow the AK Party and know its past will appreciate it. Such a clumsy job cannot be done. This boomerang will turn back and hit Erdoğan. There is no diploma for Erdoğan, no school friends of Erdoğan, and the only instructor who taught him is the one he made the mayoral candidate for Muğla, who was a previous term member of parliament; apart from that, there is no one who says, 'I taught him,' no one who saw him in class, no one who saw him in a tutoring center, no one who saw him in an amphitheater, and there is not a single photo with school friends. If there is, let him take a photo with his classmates and school friends in the amphitheater, and let’s see. Let him host his university friends for iftar this Ramadan and let’s see. You can also ask Erdoğan's university friends about their school memories at the door. Therefore, I am increasingly concerned about the country as those managing the AK Party are also managing the country in such a clumsy manner."
"THEY WILL NOT GET ANY BREAD FROM HERE" In response to the question, "Are you expecting a cancellation decision at the end of the process?" Özel said, "No; what will be canceled, can something that exists disappear? A diploma issued 31 years ago, courses passed. The university has announced, 'Come and apply to me,' and accepted the application. If someone committed a murder 31 years ago, that murder legally disappears due to the statute of limitations. So if there is a process in which Ekrem İmamoğlu is a victim, something needs to be done through those who created that victimization. There is an extremely transparent process. There is no personal fault in any part of it, and there is no special application for individuals. They will not get any bread from here. If they do, it will be Erdoğan's diploma controversy," he said.