CHP Leader Özgür Özel: “No Negativity in Nursery Videos”
Ankara, January 27 – Republican People’s Party (CHP) Chairman Özgür Özel addressed allegations of child abuse and ill-treatment at a nursery affiliated with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (IMM), stating, “There is no contact according to the images. But despite this, IMM deepened and continues to deepen the investigation. However, there is no negativity in the images.”
Özel chaired the Presidential Candidate Office Executive Board Meeting, which lasted approximately three and a half hours and was closed to the press. Following the meeting, Özel announced that the primary topic of discussion was the drug problem.
Criticism of Government’s Drug Policy
Regarding the controversy surrounding 19 celebrities being subjected to drug tests, with most testing negative, Özel stated, “This problem is not just about catching a few drug dealers, nor can it be solved by sensationalizing the issue by taking some famous names for drug tests. Lining up 19 celebrities admired by young people, taking them for tests, and then saying ‘pardon’ to 11 of them when they test clean, plays with people’s reputations, weakens the fight, puts these individuals in a difficult position in front of society and their fans, and also puts their families and children in a difficult social situation. It serves no purpose. The government boasts about the increase in drug operations, but everyone knows that the increase in operations and seized quantities is a result of the growing drug problem. Between 2019 and 2025, the number of operations increased by 200 percent. The age of first use has dropped from 19 to 16. Drug use at the age of 16 has even entered the records. Treatment applications and drug-related deaths have doubled. Drugs are an international financial network and a black money system. This system will not end without touching the money, reaching the barons, and dismantling international networks. However, the government starting from the lowest rung of the chain and turning the issue into tabloid material obscures the real problem.”
“35 Cameras in the Nursery, No Blind Spots”
Regarding the allegations of abuse and ill-treatment of children at the IMM-affiliated nursery in Eyüpsultan, Özel provided further details:
“There is an issue identified by our educator there and reported to the family. Ministers call them ‘nurseries’; these are child activity centers. In this child activity center, an educator notices a bruise or wound mark on a student’s chest while changing their clothes. The mother is immediately called, and she is asked: ‘There is a bruise here, have you seen it?’ The mother’s answer is; ‘These are children, they fall, they get up, they bruise.’ They record both seeing the bruise, informing the mother, and the mother’s response. Later, the father becomes aware of this and suddenly blames the other educator who provides sports training. The Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality immediately launches an investigation into this matter, and the footage is examined.
Let’s put an end to the confusion on this issue; there are exactly 35 cameras in the nursery, and there are no blind spots in the nursery. Let them go and examine the footage from 35 cameras, which IMM keeps for three months, although the obligation is 15 days. Let them say ‘this is a blind spot.’ There is no such spot. And according to the rules, it is forbidden for the sports instructor to touch the student. According to the images, there is no contact whatsoever. But despite this, IMM deepened and continues to deepen the investigation. However, there is no negativity in the images.”
“If There is Abuse, Let’s Deal with It”
Recalling his previous statement, “There is one female minister in the cabinet, opposition to men is enough, be careful with the female minister,” Özel continued:
“The minister we are most careful with is burning herself in public with the most careless language, saying ‘Abuse in the nursery, abuse in the nursery.’ If there is an abuser, let’s deal with them. You remain silent about all the irregularities, false dealings in all the foundations and associations related to you. We have 780 nurseries, go and look at parent satisfaction, look at the teachers you accuse in that nursery. One is the spouse of a martyr, one is a pregnant woman, one is a mother who will have a baby in a few months. One is a teacher placed from another program. And they say ‘The trolls are writing’; supposedly they made fun of a 3-year-old child. The camera recordings denied all of it. Sooner or later, we will follow the judiciary. Sooner or later, will this prosecutor not go? Will he not take the 35 cameras? Will he not check if there is a blind spot or not? Will there be no interrogation? Will the child’s statement not be taken under the right conditions as it should be? Right or wrong, if there is a mistake, did that wound happen there or somewhere else, will this not come out? When it comes out, how will Ms. Mahinur look us in the eye?”
“We Will Introduce a ‘Young Tenant Law'”
Emphasizing that the future of young people is the future of this country, Özel stated, “Today, millions of young people in Turkey are struggling with housing problems, livelihood concerns, inequality, and insecurity. Education is no longer an opportunity for young people, but has turned into a struggle for survival. We are here to change this order. We will guarantee young people’s right to housing. We will establish a rent support fund for low-income young people. We will introduce a special ‘Young Tenant Law’ that protects young people under 25. We will build dormitories with humane conditions, planned according to regional needs. We will complete ‘Republic Dormitories’ within one year. We will increase education loans according to need. We will expand the scope of non-refundable scholarships. On the night of the local elections, I said: ‘Young people who packed their bags decided to wait for another election.’ That election is approaching. Never lose hope. And never listen to those who say ‘Nothing will come of this country.’ If you want change, we will fight together. We don’t just ask for your vote; we ask for more. We want you to have a say, to come together, to organize, to take part in the administration of this country, to have a say. We want to build a Turkey where young people live not to survive, but to dream and realize those dreams in their own country. We will build a visa-free Europe, a Turkey without prohibitions, on the shoulders of our young people.”
“The Era of the Nation Will Begin”
Stating that they became the first party in Turkey in the first election he entered as Chairman, Özel said, “Now some may be afraid of elections and run away. But we continue to strive for an early election demand that has exceeded 60 percent for the first time in history. Our side is with the nation. The nation is with us. We succeeded in the first elections we entered, and we will succeed in the first general elections we will enter. Ekrem İmamoğlu may be in prison today, but he will definitely be released, he will enter that election, and he will be the President of this nation. The era of those who are afraid of their rivals, run away from elections, and seek legitimacy not in these lands, not in these voters, but elsewhere, will end, and the era of the nation will begin.”
Source: Demirören News Agency (DHA)
