17.02.2026 06:30
Former Interior and Justice Minister Mehmet Ağar, who made headlines with his visit to Mustafa Çiftçi, who was appointed as the Minister of Interior, spoke for the first time after the meeting. Responding to claims that the visit was a "message," Ağar said, "What message could there be in my visit to the Minister? This is nonsense. I would visit him when he first came as well. The state has its rules. Moreover, the Ministry of Interior is the ministry where this important tradition and custom are abundantly practiced. It is that simple."
The visit of former Interior and Justice Minister Mehmet Ağar to Mustafa Çiftçi, who was appointed as the Minister of Interior, made a significant impact. While there were comments that this visit could be a "message," Ağar spoke for the first time about the meeting.
"WHAT MESSAGE COULD MY VISIT TO THE MINISTER BE?"
In statements to Saygı Öztürk from Sözcü Newspaper, Mehmet Ağar said, "What message could my visit to the minister be? This is nonsense. I would visit him when he first came as well. Moreover, Mr. Mustafa Çiftçi passed the exam and entered the district governorship during my term as minister. I also served as the Governor of Erzurum, and his appointment from the Governorship of Erzurum to the Ministry of Interior adds another dimension to the situation."
"OTHER INTENTIONS SHOULD NOT BE SOUGHT BEHIND THIS"
In the state, there are such visiting protocols. Whenever there is a change in the General Directorate of Security, whenever there is a change in the Ankara or Istanbul Police Chief, or whenever there is a change in the Interior or Justice Minister, I go and say 'Congratulations,' and then I leave. It's that simple. Other intentions should not be sought behind this.
"THE STATE HAS RULES"
The state has rules. Moreover, the Ministry of Interior is the ministry where this important tradition is applied in its entirety. It is that simple," he said.