“İmamoğlu Attacked with Stones at Rally, Turkish Officials Condemn Violence”
AK Party Spokesperson, Ömer Çelik has responded to questions regarding recent events that have caused concern in Turkey. In an interview with Funda Görey on NTV, Çelik addressed the recent meeting held by the mayor of Istanbul, Ekrem İmamoğlu in Erzurum, which was disrupted by a group of protesters.
Çelik stated that his party was against all forms of violence towards politics and that freedom of politics was something they valued highly. He condemned the violence and stated that warnings were given before the event, as it was not a designated rally area.
Furthermore, Çelik highlighted that Erzurum was a city of peace and that a thorough investigation would be carried out. He criticized the President of IMM for targeting their President in his statement, calling it inappropriate. He emphasized the importance of being against verbal manipulation and provocative speech, just as they were against physical violence.
Çelik also clarified that the security measure of the trade area and the security measure of the shopkeeper’s visit were two different things. He stated that policies would be implemented for security measures at rallies held all over Turkey and that they rejected any form of violence outright.
As Turkey moves forward, it is essential that actions are taken against any form of violence and that political freedom is protected. This recent incident highlights the importance of maintaining a peaceful and democratic society, where all voices are heard, without fear of retribution.
