Dervişoğlu Slams Altaylı Arrest, Syria Hospital Plan, and ‘Legal Decay’ in Türkiye

İYİ Party Chair Müsavat Dervişoğlu delivered a fiery critique during his party’s parliamentary group meeting, condemning what he described as the erosion of the rule of law in Türkiye. Reacting strongly to the arrest of journalist Fatih Altaylı, Dervişoğlu said, “Türkiye suffers from two shortages in its legal state: law and state.”

He warned that recent arrests are part of a broader trend of politicized justice and vowed to stand against any attempt to undermine judicial independence. “We oppose using the judiciary as a political tool,” he stated.

Syria Hospital Criticized Amid Domestic Health Woes

Dervişoğlu also denounced the Health Ministry’s plan to open a 300-bed hospital in Damascus, calling it unjustifiable when Turkish citizens face long waits for basic medical imaging services.

“While people can’t get an MR appointment for a year, the Health Minister finds time to plan a hospital in Syria—this is nothing short of shameless,” he said.

Mining Law and Environmental Concerns: “Will You Move Olive Trees to Beştepe?”

Turning to the controversial mining law passed by Parliament, Dervişoğlu condemned provisions allowing mining in olive groves, sarcastically asking, “Are you going to relocate the olive trees to Beştepe’s garden?” He accused the government of prioritizing corporate interests over public good, referring to the ruling party as a “deal-making regime.”

Call for Censorship of DEM Party Remarks in Parliament

Dervişoğlu criticized a June 18 speech by a DEM Party lawmaker, calling it offensive to Turkish history and national identity. He announced that İYİ Party had filed a request to remove the speech from official parliamentary records and had shared its concerns with other parties in Parliament.

On Imamoğlu and Opposition Unity: “Correct Platform Matters”

Commenting on Ekrem İmamoğlu’s call for unified opposition, Dervişoğlu said he was one of the first to advocate the idea of integrated opposition. He stressed the importance of forming alliances on a credible political foundation, rather than public polemics. Regarding İmamoğlu’s legal challenges, he added:
“Public support for him exceeds even CHP’s vote share. People no longer believe the government’s narrative.”

Israel-Türkiye Tensions: Warning Against Provocations

Addressing rumors of an imminent Israeli attack on Türkiye, Dervişoğlu warned against fueling dangerous misinformation campaigns. “We must not add fuel to this fire. Türkiye’s national interests must be protected without becoming a target in manipulated agendas,” he said.