Bulent Arinc Breaks Silence on Sozcu TV: Landmark Statements on Gezi, Judiciary, and Gokcek

WISE NEWS PRESS / ISTANBUL, TÜRKIYE

Bulent Arinc, the 22nd President of the Grand National Assembly of Türkiye and a founding member of the AK Party, appeared on a special Sozcu TV broadcast hosted by Senem Toluay Ilgaz. In a detailed and revealing interview, Arinc addressed the most contentious issues in Turkish politics, ranging from the Gezi Park trial to corruption allegations in Ankara and the future of the ruling party.

Arinc expressed deep concern over the state of the Turkish legal system, noting that public trust in the judiciary has plummeted to 20%. "Justice is a matter of conscience; it cannot operate based on individuals or political conjunctures," Arinc stated.

"I Saw No Intent to Overthrow the Government in Gezi"

One of the most significant moments of the interview was Arinc's testimony regarding the Gezi Park protests and the subsequent trial. Arinc, who was the Acting Prime Minister during the events in June 2013, defended figures like Tayfun Kahraman, who is currently serving an 18-year sentence.

"In the beginning of the Gezi events, there was a group of intellectual youth aiming to protect nature and green spaces. I met with their technical delegation, including Tayfun Kahraman. I did not see anyone in that room who wanted to overthrow the government," Arinc remarked. He further added that there is no causal link between these individuals and the later street violence: "There isn't even a tiny shred of evidence that they instigated violence. I know the files, and I hope for their release as soon as possible."

The Melih Gokcek Controversy: "No Prosecutor Ever Called Me"

Arinc also revisited his famous 2015 accusation that former Ankara Mayor Melih Gokcek "sold Ankara piece by piece (parsel parsel)." Despite the gravity of the allegations and the dossiers reportedly submitted by current Mayor Mansur Yavas, Arinc noted a lack of judicial interest.

"Everything I said is out in the open. However, ten years have passed, and not a single prosecutor has ever summoned me to give a statement. If they call me today, I will go and testify. The failure of the judiciary to act on these matters is a clear indicator of our current problems," said Arinc.

AK Party Self-Criticism: "Everything Happened on Our Watch"

Reflecting on the AK Party's 23 years in power, Arinc delivered a stern self-criticism. He divided the party's history into a "Golden Era" (2002-2013) and a subsequent period of decline.

"We cannot blame a previous government anymore; we have been in power for 23 years. Everything—good or bad—happened while we were here. In the past, being a 'religious person' was synonymous with being 'reliable.' Unfortunately, we have lost this image. There is a social decay, and we can only reclaim what we lost through law and justice. Absolute power corrupts, and the lack of checks and balances in the current system is a topic of serious debate."

The Post-Erdogan Era and "Father to Son" Succession

When asked about the potential candidacy of President Erdogan's son, Bilal Erdogan, for the presidency, Arinc provided a cautious yet firm analysis of Turkish political culture.

"Türkiye is not Azerbaijan. A transition of power from father to son has never been seen in our lands. We are a nation of 86 million with a deep-rooted state tradition. I do not believe the public would applaud such a move; it would not be generally accepted," Arinc emphasized. He also noted that declaring candidacies like those of Ekrem Imamoglu or Ozgur Ozel too early was a strategic mistake: "In politics, they cut the head of the rooster that crows too early."

The Cosmic Room and "Cleansing the Bowels"

Arinc also addressed the 2009 "Cosmic Room" incident and his famous phrase "Türkiye is cleansing its bowels." He clarified that he was the victim of a surveillance operation and that the decision to open the military's most secret archives was made by then-PM Erdogan and General Staff Chief Ilker Basbug.

"I am not sorry for the substance of my words. At that time, there were junta elements within the military planning various activities. While my choice of words can be criticized, the intent to clear out those anti-democratic elements was correct. Today, thankfully, those junta structures no longer exist," he concluded.

The Situation in Syria and Global Otocracy

On the recent developments in Syria and the fall of Aleppo, Arinc recalled his 2013 meeting with then-VP Joe Biden. Arinc quoted an Irish proverb used by Biden: "Those who stand close to the fire sweat the most." He expressed support for Türkiye's current state policy regarding the neutralization of PKK/YPG elements in Syria, calling it a matter of national survival.

Concluding the interview, Arinc warned about the global rise of otocratic regimes and the suspension of democracy worldwide, urging Türkiye to protect its last remaining pillar: the rule of law.

www.wisenewspress.com