Turkey’s Security Directorate files complaint against Green Left Party MP over her remarks on pride march

Turkey’s Directorate General of Security on June 19 announced that it filed a criminal complaint against Green Left Party (YSP) Istanbul MP Özgül Saki after she likened the police blockade in the entire Beyoğlu district to an "occupation" during Istanbul Trans Pride March.

Monday June 19 2023 10:42 pm

YSP MPs Özgül Saki (R) and Burcugül Çubuk (L) attends Trans Pride March on June 18.

Duvar English

Turkey’s Directorate General of Security (EGM) on June 19 filed a criminal complaint against Green Left Party Istanbul MP Özgül Saki upon her statement that The Trans Pride March could not take place because “the police occupied every part of Taksim like an occupying force."

In the statement made on the EGM's Twitter account, "The insult of 'occupier' against the Turkish Police Organization, which works 24/7 for the peace and security of our beloved nation and continues the fight against crime and criminals, especially terrorist organizations, is never acceptable.” The statement added that the police officers worked not to allow a group that wanted to make an “illegal demonstration.”

Aziz Milletimizin huzur ve güvenliği için 7 gün 24 saat görev yapan, başta terör örgütleri olmak üzere suç ve suçluyla mücadeleyi aralıksız sürdüren Türk Polis Teşkilatı'na yönelik "işgalci" hakareti asla kabul edilemez.
İstanbul'da yasa dışı gösteri yapmak isteyen gruba izin…
— Türk Polis Teşkilatı (@EmniyetGM) June 19, 2023

Although there was no official ban order from the governor's office regarding the Istanbul Trans Pride March, the police blockaded Istanbul’s entire Beyoğlu district and detained 10 trans activists who gathered in the side streets.

Green Left Party's Saki after the demonstration said, "The trans pride march, which was supposed to be held in Taksim today, could not be held in there because, as everyone saw, the police occupied every part of Taksim like an occupying force.” She also added that “This struggle is not only the struggle of LGBTI+ people but of each and every one of us. We will all raise the struggle for equality and freedom.”

Every member of the Turkish Parliament has legislative immunity and no action can be taken against them unless their immunity is lifted by parliament or they are caught red-handed in an aggravated criminal offense.

Turkish authorities banned all events organized by LGBTI+ groups in the country from film screenings to tea-and-talk during June 2023, the month celebrated among LGBTI+s globally.