04.05.2025 14:10
The identity of the person who attacked CHP Chairman Özgür Özel with a punch after his exit from AKM has been revealed. It has been learned that 66-year-old S.T. killed two of his children and injured two others in Hatay in 2004, and has a criminal record for theft and threats. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior stated regarding the attacker, "S.T., who received a life sentence, was released on conditional parole in 2020."
The Chairman of the CHP, Özgür Özel, was attacked with punches after the memorial ceremony held for the Deputy Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and DEM Party Istanbul Deputy Sırrı Süreyya Önder at the Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM).
STATEMENT FROM THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE
An announcement was made by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the incident. The statement said, "An investigation is underway regarding the assault on the Chairman of the Republican People's Party, Özgür Özel, during the program he attended today, and the person who carried out the act has been caught and taken into custody. A detailed investigation is ongoing."
IDENTITY REVEALED
The Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office reported that S.T., a 66-year-old man who physically assaulted CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, has a criminal record for killing his two children in Hatay in 2004.
The prosecutor's office stated regarding the person who physically assaulted CHP Chairman Özel, "According to initial determinations, the person has a criminal record for killing his children in 2004, and there are no signs of mental illness according to initial assessments; everything is being examined in detail."
STATEMENT FROM THE MINISTRY OF INTERIOR
The Ministry of Interior also made striking statements regarding the person who attacked Özel. The ministry's statement included the following: "It has been determined that S.T., a 66-year-old man who physically assaulted CHP Chairman Mr. Özgür Özel, killed his children named B.T. and M.T. in 2004 and injured two other children. He has a record for theft and threats. S.T., who received a life sentence, was released on conditional parole in 2020."
MINISTER YERLİKAYA: ATTACKER CAUGHT AND TAKEN INTO CUSTODY
Interior Minister Ali Yerlikaya stated, "I strongly condemn the physical attack on CHP Chairman Mr. Özgür Özel and extend my best wishes for his recovery. It has been determined that the attacker is a person named S.T., who has been caught and taken into custody. Any attack aimed at disturbing the peace of our society will receive the punishment it deserves before the law," he said.
MINISTER TUNÇ CONDEMNED THE PUNCH ATTACK ON ÖZEL
Justice Minister Yılmaz Tunç shared the following on his social media account: "I strongly condemn the physical attack on CHP Chairman Mr. Özgür Özel and send my best wishes for his recovery. An immediate judicial investigation has been initiated by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding this despicable attack, and the suspect has been taken into custody. In democratic societies, violence can never be a legitimate means for any opinion or disagreement. It is the shared responsibility of everyone who believes in the rule of law and social peace to take a common and resolute stance against violence."