Former Turkish Cypriot leader Ersin Tatar made allegations regarding Özgür Özeli’s interference in the “electoral” process in the occupied territories, while reiterating his support for a two-state solution.
According to “Star Kıbrıs” and the Turkish Cypriot online press, Mr. Tatar claimed that Özgür Özeli, as the former head of the Republican People’s Party (RPP) and current leader of Turkey’s New Party (NP) of Turkey, had traveled to the occupied territories during the “pre-election” period and had been involved in the campaign in support of Tufan Erhurman.
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He claimed that Mr. Özel had stated that “my candidate is Tufan” and that a delegation from the RLP had participated in “pre-election” activities. He also mentioned that there are relevant images and recordings, though he did not present any evidence during the broadcast.
“He’s the president of an opposition party there. What business did an opposition party have in the elections here?” he asked, arguing that Turkish political parties should not interfere in the electoral processes of the Turkish Cypriot community.
The former Turkish Cypriot leader also criticized the criminal prosecutions for the misappropriation of Greek Cypriot properties. He argued that individuals who purchase real estate in the occupied areas through real estate agencies cannot be punished on the grounds that they should have known the property belonged to Greek Cypriots.
“Someone comes along, sees that a property is for sale, goes to a real estate agency, pays, and receives the title deed. Then they are imprisoned because they are told they should have known it was Greek Cypriot property. That is not fair,” he said.
Referring to the Cyprus issue, Mr. Tatar argued that the geopolitical conditions in the Eastern Mediterranean have changed and rejected the prospect of a federal solution. He argued that it is unrealistic to ask Turkey to renounce its guarantees, withdraw its troops, and accept a federation.
“They talk about methodology. What methodology? This is a political issue. We are talking about sovereign equality,” he said, reiterating his positions regarding a separate “state” entity in the occupied territories.
Source: CNA
