12.05.2025 08:25
The social media posts made by Tarık Çiftçi, the son of Erzurum Governor Mustafa Çiftçi, threatening the police have drawn significant backlash. Defending his son by stating that he "made a mistake," Governor Çiftçi said, "I leave it to the judgment of our esteemed nation to consider why those who appear to advocate for the rights of abandoned street animals with such sensitivity do not extend the same sensitivity to a young person."
The videos shared by Tarık Çiftçi, the son of Erzurum Governor Mustafa Çiftçi, on his social media account have sparked significant controversy. In the videos he shared, he can be seen saying, "Ask your grandfather which one we should go out with in the convoy tonight," while showing a vehicle with flashing lights, and using the phrase "Let me take your assignment document. Me: Let me take your badge number" along with a police emoji. In one of his posts, he also displayed his driver's license, as well as his Interior Ministry Administrative Authority card and gun license.
"I APOLOGIZE TO THE PEOPLE OF ERZURUM" After the intense backlash and criticism, while Tarık Çiftçi deleted the videos, Governor Çiftçi made a statement regarding the issue and apologized. In a post titled "urgent explanation" on his social media accounts, Çiftçi used the following expressions: "For the past few days, a defamation and lynching campaign has been initiated against me and my family through a post made by my young child on certain social media platforms and websites. First of all, I would like to briefly inform you about the content of the post made by my 18-year-old son A.T. My son, who filmed the video of the vehicle with flashing lights in our closed garage, placed a police officer icon on the vehicle and included a dialogue script, which he shared on his social media account. I would like to express my deep sadness and shame regarding my child's and my own emergence in the news due to such an incident. I apologize to the people of Erzurum, where I serve, and to our esteemed nation, and I seek refuge in their great tolerance."
Çiftçi, referring to the video content, stated, "As can be clearly seen in the video, the post is entirely fictional. The use of the vehicle with flashing lights in traffic, its being stopped by the police for inspection, the request for documents, and the request for my child's badge number from the police officer did not actually occur at all. Given this, creating an impression as if the incident actually happened, that an official vehicle with flashing lights was used in traffic or in a convoy, that a police officer requesting documents was threatened, and that pressure was applied, is a completely malicious approach, an assassination of character, linking it to the events during my five-year tenure as the Governor of Çorum, where I participated in memorial events for (the oppressed, victims, and martyrs) İskilipli Muhammed Atıf Efendi, and attempting to tarnish my reputation, that of our esteemed Interior Minister, and our government is completely ill-intentioned." he explained.
Erzurum Governor Mustafa Çiftçi. "IT IS KNOWN HOW METICULOUS I AM ON THESE MATTERS" Çiftçi stated that it is known how meticulous he is in the use of public vehicles and resources in the places where he serves, mentioning that he often walks to work instead of using an official vehicle and travels around the city this way. He expressed that citizens have witnessed this situation, stating; "On the other hand, while I advocate that a person appointed to a public position should make the least use of the rights or resources associated with the position, I cannot allow anyone, even if it is my child, to use public vehicles for purposes other than their intended use or to accept pressure on public officials. It is unthinkable or unclaimable. I leave it to the judgment of our esteemed nation why the aggressive and rude group, which appears to defend the rights of even stray animals, has withheld the same sensitivity from a young man who has made a mistake. It is a necessity for high-ranking public officials, who are constantly in the public eye, to pay attention to their actions, lifestyles, and family members. I have carried out my public duties with this awareness for years, and I have always advised my family and close ones on these matters."
In his statement, Governor Çiftçi said, "According to the principle of 'humans err,' it is understandable and reasonable for people to criticize me and my family due to a mistaken post made by my son, but going beyond that, insulting, and using vulgar expressions creates legal responsibility, and I would like to express that I will exercise my legal rights against those who use such expressions. In accordance with the divine command, 'Indeed, your wealth and children are but a trial,' I remind everyone that they may face similar situations and that everyone can be tested with their children, and I present that it is a correct approach to adhere to the measures of fairness and conscience in criticisms. The decision and judgment belong to our nation," he stated.