18.08.2026 22:30
The identity of the person who attacked Yeni Parti Gaziantep Deputy Melih Meriç, who underwent surgery after a knife attack in Gaziantep, has been revealed. It was determined that the attacker, whose name Meriç gave while on a stretcher, was former CHP Oğuzeli District Chairman Seydi Ahmet Keleş. While it was learned that Keleş, like Meriç, had recently resigned from the CHP and joined the Yeni Parti, it was noteworthy that the attacker had 27 separate criminal records.
As the investigation into the knife attack that injured New Party Gaziantep Deputy Melih Meriç in the Şahinbey district of Gaziantep deepens, striking political details and security data regarding the incident have come to light.
HE HAD ANNOUNCED ON JULY 24, ASKING, "ARE YOU READY TO WRITE HISTORY AGAIN?"
It has been learned that the attacker, Seydi Ahmet Keleş, who previously served as the CHP Oğuzeli District Chair and resigned from his party, joined the New Party on July 24.
It was observed that Keleş made the following post on his social media account after joining the party: "Are you ready to write history again? Today is the day of a new beginning, a new hope, and belief in a shared future. We are setting out under the roof of the New Party with an understanding of justice and democracy."
HE HAD MADE A FIERCE OUTBURST IN THE "ABSOLUTE NULLITY" DEBATE
It was also noticed that Keleş had reacted harshly to the "absolute nullity" debates within the CHP, arguing that the will of the organization cannot be ignored, and stated, "My Chairman is Özgür Özel, who was elected by the votes of our congress delegates."
GAZİANTEP GOVERNOR KEMAL ÇEBER: "THE ATTACKER HAS 27 CRIMINAL RECORDS"
Meanwhile, Gaziantep Governor Kemal Çeber visited the hospital where Melih Meriç is being treated and received information from doctors about his health condition.
After the inspections, Governor Çeber made statements to the press, announcing the good news that the deputy's life is not in danger and shared the following information about the fleeing suspect: "We don't yet know the reason for the incident. The person is a former district chair... In the footage, there is first a conversation, followed by a process that turns into an argument. The issue will become clear when the suspect is caught and our deputy regains consciousness. But no matter what the issue is, it should not have ended like this. We know the person; he is someone with 27 criminal records. Everything from the vehicle he got into to the route he took has been identified. Our teams will capture him shortly. Thank God, our deputy has no life-threatening risk."