The translation of the text is: "When Assad was falling, he said, 'We should talk to Assad!' Özgür Özel defended himself like this."

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel made statements regarding the agenda during a television program he attended. Evaluating the developments in Syria, Özel criticized MIT President İbrahim Kalın's visit to the Umayyad Mosque, stating, "It is not the duty of the MIT President to perform the prayer that Erdoğan will perform at the Umayyad Mosque."

"I HAVE NEVER BEEN A SUPPORTER OF ASSAD"

Özel stated that he has never supported Bashar Assad, saying, "For me, Assad has always been a dictator. I have always advocated for the democratization of Syria. The Assad regime collapsed in 61 years plus 12 days. If there is torture in your prison, if you are rich and the people are poor, sooner or later the regime will fall. Assad also paid for what his father did. I have never been a supporter of Assad; I never referred to him as an Assad or an Esed."

CLARIFIED HIS CRITICIZED STATEMENTS

Özel also clarified his statements made a day before the fall of Bashar Assad, where he said, "Necessary contacts should be established with Assad as soon as possible. Those in Turkey are already benefiting from the general amnesty declared by Assad. They should be informed. The conflict environment should be stopped. International contacts should be established," which led to discussions in the public.

Özel stated, "What was said on the 6th on the presidential website. 'We had called out to Assad, unfortunately, we did not receive a positive response. Idlib is already complete, but Homs is in the hands of the opposition. These troubled walks are not as we desire; unfortunately, the region is in trouble.' The next day, victory. 'Erdoğan has the MIT, there are many agents of the Republic of Turkey in the field. We are the main opposition party.

Thank you, they keep the state's information and documents as if they are special to themselves. Erdoğan says, 'The situation is not progressing as we wish; the opposition is advancing towards Damascus.' If I had said this, I would have received ten times the criticism today. I am very aware of what I said. If Damascus had fallen that day, not Monday, no one would have said Özgür Özel said this. I was in Kilis in the meantime. We learned that Assad left the country 16 hours after that speech," he stated.