Summary of proceedings launched against CHP MP for ‘chemical weapon’ remark

A summary of proceedings has been launched against main opposition CHP lawmaker Sezgin Tanrıkulu over his remark on the allegations that Turkish Armed Forces used chemical weapons in their operations against the PKK.

Monday November 07 2022 06:11 pm

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The Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office has prepared a summary of proceedings against main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) lawmaker Sezgin Tanrıkulu over the alleged charge of “making propaganda for a terrorist organization” for his remark on the allegations that Turkish Armed Forces used chemical weapons in their operations against the Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK).

“I watched the footage of the alleged use of chemical weapons. Chemical weapons are a crime against humanity. As of tomorrow, I will submit my parliamentary question on the accuracy of the images that support the allegations,” Tanrıkulu said on Oct. 20 in a tweet.

Kimyasal silah kullanıldığı iddialarına ilişkin görüntüleri izledim. Kimyasal silah insanlığa karşı bir suçtur.Yarın itibariyle iddialara dayanak olan görüntülerin doğruluğu üzerine soru önergemi Meclis gündemine sunacağım.Bu iddialar karşısında açıklama yapılmamış olması ilginç
— Sezgin Tanrıkulu (@MSTanrikulu) October 19, 2022

The summary of proceedings said “Tanrıkulu's remark was in line with the PKK's strategic goals and the discourse and actions it developed in the context of these goals," the state-owned Anadolu news agency reported on Nov. 7.

The prosecutor’s office sent the summary of proceedings to the Justice Ministry which then will be sent to the Parliament. If parliament votes to strip the deputy of his immunity from prosecution at the end, he will be tried by Turkish courts.

When asked about Tanrıkulu's statements, CHP spokesperson Faik Öztrak said that “The army has never resorted to chemical weapons, even in the hottest days of terrorism. Our soldiers' record is clean. It was wrong to make a public statement on such a sensitive and exploitable subject, we do not find it right.”

Previously, Turkish Medical Association (TTB) and The Human Rights Foundation of Turkey (TİHV) chairs Şebnem Korur Fincancı was arrested on the alleged charge of “making propaganda for a terrorist organization” for calling an “independent investigation” against the allegations in question.

Last month, media close to the PKK published videos which reportedly showed chemical weapons being used by the army against the PKK in northern Iraq. Several Turkish officials have denied the allegations in question, including President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan.