The first session of the İzmir Metropolitan Municipality's June Ordinary Assembly Meeting was held under the leadership of İzmir Metropolitan Mayor Cemil Tugay. During the meeting, the topic of a "Kurdish woman patient joke" told by Koç Holding Honorary Chairman Rahmi Koç at the opening of İzmir American Hospital was also brought to the agenda.
In the section where motions submitted by assembly members were discussed, AKP assembly member Latif Aydemir, who had previously come to the agenda in November with the statement "Some men, including women, are as guilty as those who kill," submitted a written motion regarding Koç's remarks.
Aydemir asked Mayor Tugay if there would be a condemnation message, to which Tugay reminded Aydemir of his own statements about women who fell victim to murder. Tugay said Koç's remarks were incorrect, stating, "We can never say that Rahmi Koç's remarks are correct. They were inappropriate and unsuitable. He has already apologized for his statements.
Looking at the perspective of the backlash, I do not think it was a statement intended to demean Kurdish women. Sometimes people say wrong things without calculating where their words will lead, without ill intent. We should not immediately condemn. We need to consider what kind of person this is, how they have lived from past to present. It seems he unintentionally said something.
He later apologized. So, he did not stand by that sentence," he said. REMINDER OF 'APOLOGY' FROM TUGAY Following Tugay, Aydemir said, "I also expect your condemnation while defending women's rights. I condemn that American hospital and Rahmi Koç. Shame on them, and Koç should apologize as well."
Tugay reminded Aydemir of his November remarks, saying, "I do not believe the speech was made with the intent to demean anyone. But it was wrong. An apology is necessary, and he apologized. Latif Bey, have you apologized for what you said? I do not recall you apologizing. I think there is something you should apologize for as well.
" Aydemir responded, "Our topic is Koç," but his attitude was met with criticism from CHP assembly members.
