“This was an attempted assassination of the president of DİSK,” Çelebi told reporters at a press conference after leaving the hospital, dismissing allegations that the motive for the shooting was money he owed to Tunçbilek, who claimed to be a friend of the DİSK president.
After Çelebi came to the press conference in a wheelchair, members of the confederation chanted slogans condemning the attack. The DİSK president, who seemed to have difficulty holding back tears, said: “I never cried because of the assault. My emotions are the result of the sentiments of my friends.” He thanked those who phoned him during his hospital stay.
Çelebi stated that he owed no debt to the assailant, pointing to the possibility of another motive for the attack. “It was not a friend's bullet. There is no trade or business motive behind the attempted assassination. It would be the last thing for me or DİSK to become involved in a conflict over monetary issues. This is a play, and we will spoil its plot,” he added, stating that they would use all of their means to assist authorities in order to prevent similar incidents.
