03.09.2026 23:31
DEVA Party leader Babacan criticized the investigation launched against the leader of the dissolved Future Party, Davutoglu, over his remarks from five years ago, stating that this constitutes an intervention in freedom of expression and democratic politics. Babacan declared his full support for Davutoglu.
Babacan, in a statement on his social media account, reacted to the opening of an investigation today regarding Davutoğlu's remarks made years ago. Babacan used the following expressions in his post:
"AN OPEN INTERVENTION IN THE SPHERE OF DEMOCRATIC POLITICS"
"Mr. Prof. Dr. Ahmet Davutoğlu is a valuable intellectual and a respected academic raised by this country. Having served our nation with great dedication and contributions through his roles as Minister of Foreign Affairs and Prime Minister, the initiation of an investigation today over his words that were reflected in the public eye exactly 5 years ago is a clear intervention in freedom of expression and the sphere of democratic politics.
The fact that Mr. Davutoğlu learned of the investigation initiated against him first from the press is also not legally acceptable. The duty of politicians is to speak, criticize, and question the government's practices on matters they deem wrong. Governments respond to criticism within politics, they respond from the podium, they respond before the nation. Democracy works this way and should work this way.
"MY FULL SUPPORT IS WITH DAVUTOĞLU"
What Turkey needs is not a system where political criticism is met with investigations, but a state of law where different ideas are expressed freely, and where the judiciary is independent and free from political reckonings.
Due to the investigation initiated against Mr. Davutoğlu, my support and solidarity with him are complete. We will continue to fight for a governance that tolerates criticism, does not shy away from accountability, and respects the rule of law."