26.04.2026 14:45
In a statement from the Ankara Governor's Office, it was announced that an investigation has been initiated regarding a statement made on the social media account of the Ayaş District Governorate, signed by District Governor Muharrem Eligül, concerning an incident that occurred during the April 23 celebrations in the Ayaş district.
During the April 23 celebrations in Ayaş, Ankara, following the claim that the municipality's press officer was not allowed into the ceremony area by the District Governorate, District Governor Muharrem Eligül published a message starting with "Bismillahirrahmanirrahim" in both Turkish and Arabic. Eligül deleted the message shortly after.
"MY GOD, WHAT SIN DID I COMMIT THAT..."
In his deleted post, Eligül used the statements: "Entering the tomb of our ancestor Fatih Sultan Mehmet Khan, who attained the glad tidings of our Prophet, with disrespect and kicking his sarcophagus is in the nature and disposition of those whose spiritual roots are outside. The attacks on me by dark circles are, praise be to Allah, an indication that I am on the right path. Otherwise, I would have wondered what sin I committed that these people harbor affection for me. May the mercy and peace of Almighty Allah be upon you."
GOVERNORATE: NECESSARY INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED
The Ankara Governorate launched an investigation regarding the post by the Ayaş District Governorate. In a statement from the Governorate, the following expressions were included: "Regarding the statement made by the District Governorate via social media about an incident during the April 23 celebration programs in our district of Ayaş, the necessary investigation has been initiated by our Governorate. It is respectfully announced to the public."
CHP DEPUTY'S REACTION WAS HARSH
CHP Ankara Deputy Umut Akdoğan, in his statement on the matter, reacted to the Ayaş District Governor's explanation with the words: "Look at the state district governor! First, he overstepped his bounds, used our religion as a tool for his backward intelligence at the beginning and end of the text, and finally, frightened, removed this text. That's the caliber. Mr. Governor, I know the complex behind these actions. Either you will not overstep your bounds, or you will stand by what you said." CHP Deputy Chairman Burhanettin Bulut also stated, "When we say the state's screw has come loose, this is exactly what we mean! I leave it to the public's discretion the style and depravity used by a state district governor, a civil servant paid with everyone's taxes, in a press statement."