MHP Leader Bahçeli Makes Striking Offer: I Will Go to İmralı Myself
MHP Leader Devlet Bahçeli announced in parliament that he is willing to go to İmralı himself with colleagues to advance the 'Terror-Free Turkey' process. He also demanded the Istanbul Municipality corruption trial be broadcast live on national television.
Editor
WISE NEWS PRESS / ANKARA, TURKEY — NOVEMBER 18, 2025
MHP Leader Devlet Bahçeli delivered a controversial statement in the Turkish Parliament, announcing that he is prepared to go to İmralı Island himself if no official delegation moves forward with talks related to the government's "Terror-Free Turkey" goals.
Bahçeli argued that direct contact is necessary to unblock the process. His speech also focused heavily on demanding that the high-profile corruption trial involving Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) officials be broadcast live to the public for full judicial transparency.
Bahçeli's Personal İmralı Challenge
Addressing the recurring debate over parliamentary visits to İmralı Island, where the imprisoned PKK leader is held, Bahçeli insisted that the ambiguity surrounding the issue must end.
"If the 'Terror-Free Turkey' goal is sincerely desired, there is no sense in dragging our feet over visiting İmralı," Bahçeli said. He maintained that progress cannot be made without direct contact with the key figure in the process.
He then issued his personal challenge:
"If no one approaches this visit, if everyone insists on pretending to see nothing, I openly state: I will take three friends with me and I will not refrain from going to İmralı using our own means, and meeting face-to-face around a table."
Bahçeli also used his address to criticize those he called "stateless nationalists" for opposing the potential end of terrorism, questioning why peace and tranquility should cause such disruption.
Demand for Live Broadcast of İBB Corruption Trial
A major segment of Bahçeli’s speech centered on the corruption and bribery indictment filed against officials associated with the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) last week. Bahçeli called for complete transparency in the judicial process.
He argued that the trial should be broadcast live on all television channels, especially TRT, so that "the Turkish nation must see and learn whatever is happening." He stated that direct public monitoring of the trial would also support the country's confidence in law and democracy.
Bahçeli further accused the former CHP management of misappropriating taxpayer money—including the rights of pensioners and youth—to fund a massive "political operation."
Condolences for Martyrs and Condemnation of Speculation
Bahçeli began his speech by expressing deep sorrow for the 20 soldiers martyred in the recent C-130 military cargo plane crash and the pilot of the forest fire plane.
He strongly condemned the social media commentary and speculation that followed the military accident, calling those who spread rumors "shameless" and "immoral." He urged patience while the official investigation team works to decipher the black box and reveal the truth.
MHP Leader Devlet Bahçeli delivered a sharp speech in the Turkish Parliament, offering to personally visit İmralı Island to advance the 'Terror-Free Turkey' process. (Photo: KARAR)
