07.08.2026 13:10
Following the messages that emerged after Menderes Mayor İlkay Çiçek, who was detained as part of the 'bribery' and 'extortion' investigation conducted by the İzmir Republic Chief Public Prosecutor's Office against the CHP-affiliated Menderes Municipality, had indecent exchanges with his girlfriend, the CHP referred Menderes Mayor İlkay Çiçek to disciplinary action with a provisional suspension and a request for definitive expulsion.
A disciplinary process has been initiated against Menderes Mayor İlkay Çiçek in the Republican People's Party (CHP).
CHP Secretary General and İzmir MP Rıfat Nalbantoğlu announced in a written statement that Çiçek was referred to discipline with a request for 'definitive expulsion with precautionary measures'.
"IT WAS CONCLUDED THAT IT DOES NOT COMPLY WITH PARTY PRINCIPLES"
Nalbantoğlu stated that the decision was made as a result of evaluations conducted in line with the CHP's fundamental principles, party regulations, and organizational discipline.
The statement included the following expressions:
"As a result of evaluations conducted in line with the fundamental principles of the Republican People's Party, party regulations, and organizational discipline, it was concluded that the attitudes and behaviors exhibited by Menderes Mayor İlkay Çiçek are incompatible with party principles."
REQUEST FOR DEFINITIVE EXPULSION WITH PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES
Nalbantoğlu, stating that a disciplinary process has been initiated against Çiçek in line with this evaluation, said, "In this context, a referral to discipline has been initiated against the relevant mayor with a request for 'definitive expulsion' with precautionary measures."
Emphasizing that the process will be carried out according to the procedures and principles set forth in the CHP Charter, Nalbantoğlu stressed that the rule of law and the right to defense will be respected.
"NO BEHAVIOR WILL BE TOLERATED"
Nalbantoğlu, stating that the CHP places its institutional integrity and organizational discipline above personal attitudes, gave the following message:
"The Republican People's Party regards its institutional integrity, organizational discipline, and responsibility towards our people as above any personal attitude. No behavior contrary to our party's principles will be tolerated; the common will of our organization and the understanding of political ethics will be steadfastly protected."
WHAT HAPPENED?
Within the scope of the investigation conducted by the İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, a detention order was issued for 16 people, including Menderes Mayor İlkay Çiçek, on charges of 'forming an organization for the purpose of committing crimes', 'being a member of an organization established for the purpose of committing crimes', 'bribery', 'extortion', 'forgery of official documents', 'misuse of office', and 'causing zoning pollution'. Within the scope of the investigation, an operation was carried out by gendarmerie at Menderes Municipality in the early hours of August 4. Fifteen people, including Mayor İlkay Çiçek, were taken into custody.
CAUGHT IN THE OPERATION
Rüzgar Sönmez, the deputy mayor and council member who was being sought as a fugitive among the suspects, was also caught and taken into custody on August 5 as a result of coordinated efforts by the National Intelligence Organization (MİT), police intelligence units, and JASAT teams of the İzmir Provincial Gendarmerie Command. With Sönmez's capture, the number of suspects in custody rose to 16.
SEXUALLY EXPLICIT MESSAGES SURFACED
Within the scope of the investigation, in which Mayor Çiçek was also detained, scandalous WhatsApp messages were published on social media accounts. The sexually explicit messages Çiçek sent to his girlfriend drew reactions.
HERE ARE THE SHOCKING CORRESPONDENCES
In the message records that emerged, dialogues where Mayor Çiçek planned to flee abroad with his girlfriend using money allegedly obtained from bribery and confessed that he conducted municipal affairs through intermediaries were reflected in the media as follows:
Girlfriend: My love, I am so jealous of you. I'm even jealous of your wife. Don't neglect the municipality, my love.
İlkay Çiçek: My eyes see only you, baby. Where did you get the municipality from?
Girlfriend: It's our future, though, my love. My love, don't expose yourself while trying to save money. I'm so scared, my darling.
İlkay Çiçek: Don't worry, let me save a little more money. I'll send you abroad. Abroad, it's just you and me. Don't worry, I run all the affairs through Murat Taşdemir and Rüzgar. I'm using these fools.