We won't let you sit there

Policy Service

Speaking at his party's parliamentary group meeting, CHP leader Özgür Özel addressed numerous current events. Recalling AKP President Erdoğan's words, "According to the polls, we are the leading party," Özel said, "I won't let you sit there with just one person called Erdoğan, with 29.2 percent of the vote. Come to the polls on November 2nd. Let's face it."

Addressing the latest wave of operations targeting CHP-run municipalities, Özel inquired about the tenders Aziz İhsan Aktaş had won from public and AKP municipalities. Özel also commented on MHP leader Bahçeli's suggestion that the hearings be broadcast on TRT, saying, "I appreciate Bahçeli's step." Özel also stated that no action was taken regarding irregularities committed during the AKP's tenure at Denizli Metropolitan Municipality, which transitioned from the AKP to the CHP.

Özel, who began his speech by touching on the soldiers who lost their lives due to methane gas poisoning in the cave they entered in the Claw-Lock Operation area, announced that they will submit a motion for investigation into the issue. Özel also announced that the CHP will undertake the bushing that the deceased contracted Private Özkan Özkanlı gave to a student.

40 MILLION 504 THOUSAND TL PAID

Özel, recalling the launch of a new wave of detentions against municipalities run by the Republican People's Party (CHP), criticized the operations launched in response to allegations made by Aziz İhsan Aktaş, an alleged criminal organization leader who was released on remorse. Özel also described the tenders Aktaş received from AKP municipalities, emphasizing that not a single investigation has been launched into these matters.

Sharing the document of the money paid for the renovation of the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's residence, Özel said, "The money paid is 40 million 504 thousand TL. This is just the renovation cost. There are other payments, excluding them. At today's exchange rate, it is 56 million TL. This money is equal to the retirement bonus of 56 teachers."

Addressing AKP President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan in the final part of his speech, Özel said, "I won't let you, the one person called Erdoğan, sit there with 29.2 percent of the vote!" Özel reiterated his request for a ballot box on November 2nd.

Highlights from Özel's statements include: On March 19th, they staged a blow against the future of this nation. They staged a blow against those in power locally and those who will come to power after the next election. They staged a blow against those who, if our nation so chooses, would become president. They declared war on the power of the ballot box. Unable to secure the nation's support, they pitted the state against the people.

Look at this Aziz İhsan Aktaş from the Supreme Court to the parliament, from the State Airports to Turkish Airlines, Pamukkale University, different provincial Uludağ University, nearly 20 public hospitals in different provinces. It is not enough. Currently, Trabzon, Kocaeli, Kahramanmaraş, Ordu's AK Party Metropolitan Municipalities, Elazığ, Isparta Municipalities, provincial municipalities, districts other than Bahçelievler in Istanbul, Şanlıurfa, Haliliye, Karaköprü, Eyyübiye, Ordu, Ünye, Hatay, Antakya are endless. They are all here.

BELTAŞ FILE IN DENİZLİ

On the other hand, we won the AK Party Denizli Municipality last year. There's a company called Beltaş in Denizli Metropolitan Municipality during the AK Party's rule. It operates a cable car to Bağbaşı Plateau. The General Manager instructs the employees. All records are kept. We did this under the General Manager's orders. For those paying cash, issue receipts for one-third of the cash payments; don't issue receipts for two-thirds; set them aside, not for the cash register. You will hand that money over to me. Every day in Denizli Metropolitan Municipality, when a sack is filled from a cable car—one-third with a receipt, two-thirds without—the sack goes to the General Manager. The person collecting the money, carrying it, delivering it, and receiving it are all known. In this regard, when the CHP won the election on March 31st, they deleted the computer hard drives and video recordings on April 1st. But the staff admits this. They say they did it this way and that, and we'll get into trouble, and they come and remove the hard drive. Our people send the hard drive to recover it, and it comes back, and there's a document showing a sack of 25 million lira from the hard drive delivered to the Beltaş general manager. I'm addressing the Minister of Justice from here. I'm addressing Erdoğan from here. Are you still going to continue to sit there so smugly while the Beltaş file is still there in Denizli? Özel continued: "Go ahead and see. How do these evil deeds happen to the nation? Where do they go? Let's show them. I think the photos, calculations, and diagrams I've shown you so far have all been featured in the valuable press, but what's even more striking is that our friends have worked together. Look, this is the chart of Borsa Istanbul's top 100 stocks. While Borsa Istanbul was rising on its own in March, it fell to 8.79 on March 19th when they attempted this coup.

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BAHÇELİ SUPPORTS TRT'S CALL

MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli supported CHP Chairman Özgür Özel's proposal to broadcast the hearings live on TRT regarding the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality investigations. Bahçeli said, "Therefore, we hope and pray that this expectation will be evaluated as reasonable and legitimate, and that the white sheep and the black sheep will be separated and exposed before the collective conscience." Emphasizing the need for indictments to be drafted as soon as possible and emphasizing the dangers of prolonged judicial proceedings, Bahçeli stated, "Judicial proceedings are likely to foster political polarization and lead to social and economic problems. Therefore, prolonging judicial proceedings is dangerous and unnecessary."

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BLACKS ARRESTED, TUTDERE PUT UNDER HOUSE ARREST

Thirteen people in custody, including Adana Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Zeydan Karalar and Adıyaman Mayor Abdurrahman Tutdere, were referred to the courthouse after security procedures. Zeydan Karalar was arrested, while Abdurrahman Tutdere was placed under house arrest.

The judge ruled that Adıyaman Mayor Abdurrahman Tutdere be placed under judicial control, requiring him to "not leave his residence." The other individual was placed under judicial control, requiring him to "sign." Meanwhile, Büyükçekmece Deputy Mayor Ahmet Şahin was referred to the Criminal Court of Peace for an arrest warrant as part of the ongoing investigation. Following Şahin's testimony, the prosecutor's office requested his arrest.