Özersay Calls on Üstel to Dismiss Arıklı Over Investigation

People’s Party (HP) leader Kudret Özersay called on Prime Minister Ünal Üstel to remove Transport Minister Erhan Arıklı from office for the duration of the ongoing investigation into the Filo Jet disaster.

Emphasising that he was not in a position to determine whether the Transport Minister was guilty, Özersay said, “However, for the sake of the investigation and in order for the truth to emerge, I believe it would be the right decision for Mr Arıklı to step aside, even temporarily, and clear the way for the process. If he will not do so himself, Mr Ünal has another option.”

“THERE IS A RISK OF EVIDENCE BEING TAMPERED WITH”

Özersay said ports and other units under the Transport Ministry were hierarchically accountable to the minister and would be involved in the investigation into the vessel’s seaworthiness as well as the certificates of the captain and crew.

“Given the possibility of evidence being tampered with or destroyed, the minister remaining in office while this process is ongoing carries risks,” Özersay said.

He stressed that he was not claiming Arıklı had been negligent or at fault, adding that such matters could only be established through the investigation.

“I am not saying that the Transport Minister was negligent or at fault, nor am I in a position to say that. However, I believe he should not remain in that position for the truth to emerge,” Özersay said.

Özersay argued that it was clear Arıklı was not considering resigning.

“He clearly does not intend to resign. However, Ünal has another option: he can remove him from office,” he said.