Former PM Davutoğlu Withdraws as Aggrieved Party in Gezi Trial
* Photo: AA - Archive
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Future Party Chair Ahmet Davutoğlu has announced that he has withdrawn the lawsuits that were filed into the personal acts committed against himself and that were not of public nature.
The decision of former Prime Minister Ahmet Davutoğlu excludes "the penal suits related with the PKK*, FETÖ** and ISIS and with the public crimes committed by structures such as Pelikan."
Ahmet Davutoğlu was also one of the aggrieved parties of the Gezi trial, whose sixth hearing is to be held today (February 18). With this decision, Davutoğlu has now also withdrawn from Gezi trial.
Ahead of the sixth hearing of Gezi today, several calls were made to Ahmet Davutoğlu and Ali Babacan, who resigned from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), to withdraw from the lawsuit as aggrieved parties.
As reported by daily Karar, the decision of Future Party Chair Ahmet Davutoğlu has been announced to the public in a written statement issued by Ayhan Sefer Üstün, the Vice Chair of the party.
The statement has explained the background and reasons behind his decision in following words:
"Turkey has been going through a period when the judiciary has become politicized and the independence and impartiality of the judiciary have suffered. Our country has got tired and polarized by debates on the judiciary. It is essential to usher in a new period and leave the old debates behind. It is important that everyone takes a step for that.
"The aim of this decision of our Dear Chair is to ensure that everyone leaves the past and turns to the future. On this occasion, we, as the Future Party, is once again reiterating our call for an independent and impartial judiciary for a culture of discussion and coexistence."
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(EKN/SD)
* Kurdistan Workers Party (PKK)
** Fethullahist Terrorist Organization (FETÖ), which is held accountable for the failed coup attempt on July 15, 2016