29.04.2026 23:03
Footage of Arif Kocabıyık, who switched from the İYİ Party to the CHP and had his badge pinned by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, taken at an entertainment venue in the past, has become a subject of debate.
Street interviewer Arif Kocabıyık, who left the İYİ Party, joined the CHP in a ceremony held a few days ago. His move, with the badge pinned by none other than Chairman Özgür Özel, drew attention.
FOOTAGE FROM AN ENTERTAINMENT VENUE EMERGES
However, right after the participation, footage of Kocabıyık from a past entertainment venue was shared on social media, sparking controversy.
The footage divided social media users and political circles. While some criticized it as "contrary to political seriousness," others argued that the footage fell under private life, calling the shares a "character assassination." As debates continue, no official statement has yet come from the CHP side.
WHO IS ARİF KOCABIYIK?
Arif Kocabıyık, born in Antalya in 1983, is a social media content producer and street interviewer known especially for his channel İlave TV, which broadcasts on YouTube. A former security guard, Kocabıyık reached wide audiences with political agenda and election-focused interviews through his channel founded in 2018, and became a candidate for the Antalya parliamentary seat from the İYİ Party in the 2023 general elections. Throughout his career, he has been detained and arrested multiple times at different periods.