CHP head slams prosecutors over summary of proceedings against him

MUĞLA

Main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) head Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu has criticized judicial authorities over the summary of proceedings issued against him, arguing that the judiciary is under the political influence of the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP).

“You are not a prosecutor. Those who become slaves to the palace cannot be prosecutors, or judges,” Kılıçdaroğlu said on Dec. 14 in the western province of Muğla.

His comment came after the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office issued summaries of proceedings against the CHP leader, along with CHP Deputy Group Leader Özgür Özel, CHP deputy Sezgin Tanrıkulu and Peoples’ Democratic Party (HDP) deputy Sibel Yiğitalp on Dec. 13.

According to the statement from the prosecutor’s office, the proceeding against Kılıçdaroğlu was issued following a complaint from the Supreme Election Board concerning the CHP leader’s comments on Sept. 12, 2017 regarding the constitutional amendment referendum held in April earlier this year.

“If you cannot speak at parliament, or in the street, why speak at all? Where should you speak?” Kılıçdaroğlu said in response.

“Democracy is not present in this country. There is a one-man regime. A country where lawmakers and journalists are in prison and where academics are dismissed from universities is not a democratic country,” he added.

Referring to Turkey’s triple elections slated for 2019, when the system change stipulated by the constitutional amendment is due to fully come into effect, Kılıçdaroğlu stated once again that the polls would constitute a choice between a “one-man regime” and “democracy.”

“While the poor pay taxes, the rulers of this state pull every trick in the book not to pay taxes. That’s what we need to clamp down on,” he said.

“If you usher in a one-man regime, judicial freedom won’t exist and nobody will have the security of life or property,” Kılıçdaroğlu added.