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The leader of Türkiye's main opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), Ozgur Ozel, characterized a recent physical attack against him as an assault on the country's political institutions, calling for an end to polarization in Turkish politics.
"I see this attack as an assault on political institutions," Ozel said following the incident. "From now on, regardless of which party the perpetrator belongs to, we must defend civil politics, reject violence, communicate, and work together. Polarization and extremism benefit no one."
The attack occurred during memorial services for Democratic Equality Party (DEM) Istanbul parliamentarian and Deputy Speaker of the Grand National Assembly, Sirri Sureyya Onder. Ozel was attending the ceremony at the Ataturk Cultural Center when the incident took place.
Following the memorial, Ozel visited the family of recently deceased artist Yavuz Top in Sariyer to offer condolences, as he had been unable to attend the funeral due to May 1 Labor and Solidarity Day events.
"Today was a day when everyone was speaking of peace and brotherhood," Ozel told reporters. "Some people opened the way for this attack because they don't want these issues discussed."
Ozel reported that President Recep Tayyip Erdogan, cabinet ministers, and leaders of various political parties had called to condemn the attack. Despite the assault, the CHP leader insisted on continuing with his scheduled program.
"When you aspire to such a position, you already accept these risks," Ozel said, referring to previous assassination attempts against CHP leaders. "At this point, threats and attacks will not intimidate us – if they would, we wouldn't have sought leadership of the party that founded the Republic, accepting the risk of death."
The CHP leader avoided speculating about the attacker's political affiliations after information emerged about the perpetrator's violent past. According to Ozel, the Interior Minister informed him that the assailant had reportedly killed two of his children and injured a third in 2004.
"If someone wants to disturb the peace, create a provocation, or blame someone else, they find someone like this to do it. There must be an instigator," Ozel remarked.
He expressed hope that the incident might become a turning point for Turkish politics: "I hope this becomes a new milestone. We would be pleased if it contributes to a climate where politics is conducted through words, elected officials remain in their positions, and those accused are tried without detention."
Ozel was accompanied during his visit by CHP Parliamentary Group Deputy Chairman Ali Mahir Basarir and the party's Istanbul Provincial Chairman Ozgur Celik.
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