'Turkey now lives in a rape society, it is what we try to raise concerns about'

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Subjected to a physical attack in Kadıköy, İstanbul shortly after Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu targeted him in a tweet, Workers' Party of Turkey (TİP) Vice Chair and Hatay MP Barış Atay spoke at a press statement in Yoğurtçu Park in Kadıköy in the afternoon hours today (September 1).

The statement was attended by several people, including Peoples' Democratic Party (HDP) İstanbul MP Oya Ersoy, Republican People's Party (CHP) İstanbul MP Ali Şeker and Independent İstanbul MP Ahmet Şık.

Showing the signs of trauma on his face, Atay first thanked everyone who solidarized with him. Continuing his remarks, Atay briefly said:

'A useful apparatus'

"The government or all pro-government groups think that we will be ashamed of the situation that we have found ourselves in, but it is also something to be proud of on our part. Because the only thing that they can do about a revolutionary living in this country is to attack him from his back in a dark side street. But as you have seen, we still stand up."

Referring to Minister Süleyman Soylu, who targeted him before the attack, Atay said, "He is not a minister, he is the gang leader of the system established by the AKP regime here in 18 years, he is a useful apparatus."

Further in his speech, Barış Atay said:

"It is plain as day that Turkey has started living in a rape society and that is what we have been trying to raise concerns about in the last weeks.

"In the face of people who guarantee that nothing will happen to them by especially trusting their uniforms or bosses and ministers behind them, we ask questions so as to continue struggling and to raise awareness of the public, raise their voices even further and call the responsible parties to account. But when we do it, that is how it ends. But this cannot intimidate us in any way at all, this cannot make us step back.

"The sides are quite clear: We are on the side of İpek Ers and they are on that of Musa Orhans. I know that Süleyman Soylu will go and we will leave this government and these dark days behind.

"We know that we did not do something wrong. As we asked yesterday, we say, 'Where did we leave off' and continue."

CLICK - Attorney: Court released military officer charged with rape because 'intercourse was consensual'

What happened?

After Specialist Sergeant Musa O. was released from prison despite facing charges for "sexually assaulting" 18-year-old İpek E. and driving her to suicide in Batman province, TİP Hatay MP Barış Atay shared a social media post about the alleged phone messages of Musa O.

Tagging Minister of Interior Süleyman Soylu, Atay said, "You protected and backed a serial rapist. We will make efforts to ensure that it will be held against you for the rest of your life and you will not ever forget it."

In response to this message, Minister Soylu tweeted:

"The left-over of the PKK and DHKP-C [Kurdistan Workers' Party and Revolutionary People's Liberation Party/Front], who became an MP from the HDP [Peoples' Democratic Party] upon the instruction of the PKK heads. I cannot be a 'rapist protector,' but you would make quite a rapist... The protector of Tuma [Çelik]; watch out, don't get caught..."

Shortly after Minister Soylu shared this post, Barış Atay, the Vice Chair and Hatay MP of the Workers' Party of Turkey (TİP), was attacked by a group of five people in Kadıköy, İstanbul on August 31. While Barış Atay and his friends were leaving a restaurant in Kadıköy at around 1.30 a.m., the group attacked him, calling the MP a "traitor."

Taken to the Haydarpaşa Numune Hospital, the MP was treated for a suspected broken rib and trauma. Staying in the hospital until early morning hours, Atay made a statement after he left the hospital. "I am good now, there is nothing serious," he has said and added, "We will hold a press statement on Tuesday." (HA/SD)