07.09.2026 00:00
Suspended and arrested Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Muhittin Böcek, in a letter he wrote from prison describing his 32-year political career, used striking statements. While Böcek referred to Özgür Özel, who nominated him as a candidate in 2024, only by his first name, in the section regarding 2026 he used the expression 'Our CHP Chairman' for Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. Böcek's words were interpreted as revealing his political preference between the CHP and the NEW Party between the lines.
Muhittin Böcek, the suspended Mayor of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality, wrote a noteworthy letter from the prison where he is held. In his account of his 32-year political history, a detail that could be interpreted as revealing his party preference drew attention. While Böcek referred to Özgür Özel, who nominated him in 2024, only by his name, he used the expression "our CHP Chairman" for Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu in the section regarding 2026.
HE NARRATED HIS 32-YEAR POLITICAL HISTORY
Böcek began his letter by greeting Antalya and its people. Stating that he started politics during the Motherland Party period with Turgut Özal and Mesut Yılmaz, Böcek noted he served as the ANAP Central District Chairman between 1994 and 1999.
Böcek stated that he was elected Mayor of Konyaaltı from ANAP in 1999 and continued his subsequent political career under the roof of CHP.
HE WAS A CANDIDATE 6 TIMES AND WAS ELECTED 6 TIMES
Listing the elections in his political career one by one, Böcek recounted that he was elected Mayor of Konyaaltı from ANAP in 1999 and assumed the same role from CHP in the 2004, 2009, and 2014 elections.
Böcek stated that in the 2019 local elections, he was nominated as the Antalya Metropolitan Municipality Mayor candidate by the Nation Alliance and was elected Mayor of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality.
Also touching upon the 2024 elections, Böcek stated that he was nominated by Özgür Özel. Noting that he entered the election with the slogan "Everyone's Mayor," Böcek recorded that he was elected Mayor of Antalya Metropolitan Municipality for the second consecutive term by receiving approximately half of the votes.
HE MENTIONED ÖZGÜR ÖZEL ONLY BY HIS NAME
The striking part of the letter was Böcek's use of expressions regarding the chairmen in CHP.
While describing the 2024 elections, Böcek used the expression "Mr. Özgür Özel nominated."
However, his expression when mentioning Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu in the section regarding 2026 drew attention:
"2026. Mr. Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu became our CHP Chairman."
Thus, while Böcek did not use any title such as "Chairman" or similar for Özgür Özel, he explicitly described Kılıçdaroğlu as "our Chairman."
This expression was interpreted as a striking message regarding Böcek's political stance within CHP.
"I WAS A MAYORAL CANDIDATE FOR THE 6TH TIME AND WAS ALWAYS ELECTED"
In his letter, Böcek particularly emphasized his electoral success in his political life.
Saying, "I have been a mayoral candidate for the 6th time and was always elected," Böcek stated he was a candidate from ANAP in 1999 and from CHP in the subsequent five elections.
Böcek used the expressions, "2004-2009-2014-2019-2024: I was elected mayor from CHP 5 times."
"I DID NOT BOW TO BLACKMAIL OR CONSPIRACIES"
At the end of his letter, Böcek, describing his political life and his bond with Antalya, stated that he grew up in the Taurus Mountains as a Yörük child.
Stating that he has worked for his country, state, nation, and Antalya for 32 years, Böcek used the following words:
"On this long and winding road, without bowing to blackmail or conspiracies, without surrendering to threats, and without marginalizing anyone, I always worked day and night."
Böcek thanked the political party leaders who supported him, wishing God's mercy upon those who had passed away and health for those still living.
He ended his letter with the words, "With love and longing..."