02.06.2026 23:20
An explanation came from Atakan Sönmez, the press advisor of CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who was targeted by Özgür Özel in his group meeting as "that disgusting mustache." Sönmez said, "I am the press advisor of the Chairman of the Republican People's Party. It is out of the question for me to enter into a polemic with a Republican People's Party deputy or respond to him. I will of course not have a response to this."
Özgür Özel's targeting of CHP Chairman Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's press advisor Atakan Sönmez as "disgusting mustache" in his speech at the TBMM group meeting caused controversy.
ÖZEL: THAT DISGUSTING MUSTACHE CAME
Özel said, "That disgusting mustache came, he fired our dear colleagues who have worked in this party for 24 years and have contributed to all of us, without severance pay. When the public reacted, he says 'I will look into it'."
SÖNMEZ: I WON'T ENTER INTO A POLEMIC WITH A PARTY DEPUTY
A response to Özel's words came from Sönmez. Speaking to T24, Atakan Sönmez said he would not respond to Özel. Sönmez stated, "I am the press advisor to the Chairman of the Republican People's Party. It is out of the question for me to enter into a polemic with a party deputy. I will have no response to this."