24.05.2026 22:10
Ali Mahir Başarır, the Group Deputy Chair of CHP who slapped CNN TÜRK Reporter Murat Bekmezci during the party's parliamentary march, apologized on a live broadcast. Claiming the environment was tense at the moment of the incident and that he was trying to separate the scuffle between security guards and the reporter, Başarır said, 'Why would I hit a journalist? It was never my intention, but if I hurt our colleague in that chaos, I apologize to all press workers.'
After the eviction crisis at CHP headquarters, Group Deputy Chairman Ali Mahir Başarır, who joined Özgür Özel in a march toward the Parliament, sparked major controversy when he slapped CNN TÜRK reporter Murat Bekmezci during the march. Following the incident, Başarır connected to a CNN TÜRK live broadcast to clarify the event and said, "If I hurt anyone, I apologize."
"I STEPPED IN AND PREVENTED A BIGGER CONFLICT"
Describing the moment of the incident on the live broadcast, Ali Mahir Başarır stated that the environment was extremely crowded and tense at the time. Başarır said his aim was not to attack the reporter but rather to calm the growing scuffle between security guards and press members, using the following words:
"An incident occurred today, and it was somewhat inaccurately reported. Our colleague there extended the microphone. After extending it three times, a security director intervened, and the microphone remained in the hands of our Party Chairman. He tried to take that microphone three times. I stepped in to separate them. If I hadn't intervened, much worse things would have happened there."
"WHY WOULD I HIT A PRESS MEMBER?"
Defending himself by stating he would never slap a press worker in a crowded setting, Başarır emphasized his good relations with all reporters in the Parliament:
"I neither pushed nor hit. Why would I hit him? Could I have such a thing, such a manner? Everyone in the Parliament knows me well. Even the most oppositional parliamentary reporter, if they come to my room, they are welcomed, have their tea and soup, and leave like that. I could never have such intent or behavior towards press workers."
"I AM NOT AFRAID TO APOLOGIZE TO PRESS WORKERS"
Concluding his remarks by stating that the chaos was misunderstood, CHP Group Deputy Chairman Ali Mahir Başarır expressed his regret over the situation regardless, saying, "If there was a misunderstanding, if I hurt our colleague in that chaos, I am not afraid to apologize to all press workers. If I hurt anyone, I apologize," thus stepping back during the live broadcast.