10.09.2025 10:20
While an investigation into irregularities is ongoing at Beykoz Municipality, a wave of resignations is taking place. Following the resignation of Deputy Mayor Özlem Vural Gürzel, CHP council members Murat Uzun and Uğur Gökdemir also announced that they are leaving their party.
While the investigation into irregularities conducted by the Beykoz Chief Public Prosecutor's Office continues, resignations have come one after another from the CHP. First, Deputy Mayor Özlem Vural Gürzel announced that she was stepping down from her position. Following Gürzel, CHP municipal council members Uğur Gökdemir and Murat Uzun also announced their resignation decisions on their social media accounts.
MURAT UZUN ACCUSED THE DISTRICT CHAIRMAN
In his statement, Murat Uzun said, "I publicly announce that I have resigned from my membership in the Republican People's Party. Throughout my term as a member of the Beykoz Municipality Council, which began with the elections on March 31, 2024, my sole purpose has been to defend the rights of Beykoz and the people of Beykoz. Unfortunately, the Republican People's Party Beykoz District Chairman Mahir Taştan and his administration have adopted a constantly divisive and fragmenting attitude instead of bringing the council group together. While council members should work in unity, the district chairman and his administration have divided the group by secretly collaborating with some council members behind the scenes, destroying common sense and solidarity. This understanding, which places personal ambitions above the interests of Beykoz, has prevented our party from being effective in the council and has even targeted our will to serve Beykoz and its people. For me, what matters is not the seat, position, or personal accounts; it is the future of Beykoz and the interests of the people of Beykoz. With this understanding, I resign from my membership in the Republican People's Party and announce to the public that I will continue on a path that prioritizes the will of the people and the interests of Beykoz." he stated.
UĞUR GÖKDEMİR: I WAS LEFT ALONE
Uğur Gökdemir stated, "For years, I have worked and fought with great honor as a member of the Republican People's Party, a cause inherited from my ancestors. Today, I continue to serve our people as a Municipal Council Member in Beykoz. However, the events of recent times have deeply worn me down. I was left alone in the lawsuits filed against me, which extended from the provincial chairman to lawyers and deputy chairpersons. While I was featured in the news every evening, I felt abandoned on this path where we should stand shoulder to shoulder. Despite all these experiences, I hold no resentment towards my party and my fellow fighters, and I thank everyone I have walked with until today. But I have now decided that it would not be right to continue my membership in the CHP under these conditions. As of today, I am resigning from my party. From now on, I will continue to defend the rights, law, and interests of the people of Beykoz as an independent council member. My struggle for our people will continue." he said.
WHAT HAPPENED?
The Beykoz Chief Public Prosecutor's Office had launched an investigation last year regarding allegations of irregularities in the tender process for concerts held during the events on August 30. On February 27, Beykoz Mayor Alaattin Köseler and 20 others were detained, and Köseler was later arrested.
After Köseler was removed from office, Özlem Vural Gürzel, who was elected as the deputy mayor by the municipal council, announced her resignation following Köseler's release and subsequent re-arrest.
"I WAS SUBJECTED TO THREATS AND PRESSURE"
In a statement on her social media account, Gürzel claimed that she was subjected to threats and pressure throughout the process and criticized the party administration. Stating that she received support from AK Party and MHP council members, Gürzel expressed, "I want it to be known that I am supported and valued by the people of Beykoz."