27.07.2026 09:10
Following the news that hundreds of extras from a casting agency were transported for 950 lira each to the membership ceremony of Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who was appointed as head of the CHP by a nullity decision, the agency in question made a statement. In a statement signed by Ömer İne, Merss Prodüksiyon confirmed that the agency sent extras to the program. İne said, "As an individual who supports the CHP, I mobilized all the resources of my agency on my own initiative." İne stated that he received no payment from the CHP headquarters.
A statement has been made by the agency in question regarding allegations that extras were brought from a casting agency for 950 liras to the membership ceremony attended by Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who was appointed as the Chairman of the CHP following the Court of Appeal's 'absolute nullity' decision.
"WE DID NOT CHARGE A FEE" In a statement signed by Merss Production official Ömer İne, shared with the public by Millet News Agency Editor-in-Chief Sinan Burhan on TV100, it was acknowledged that the agency supported the ceremony. However, İne claimed that they did not receive any payment from the CHP Headquarters for this organization.
"I MOBILIZED ALL RESOURCES FOR SUPPORT" İne, in his statement describing the process not as a political or commercial bargain but as personal support, said the following:
"A necessity has arisen to make this statement due to the baseless allegations in social media and the public regarding the CHP membership and badge ceremony held on Saturday, July 25. As a CHP supporter, I voluntarily mobilized all resources of my agency to support my close friend and colleague Samet Özkaş during the ceremony. Absolutely no financial compensation or fee was received from the CHP Headquarters or the CHP Provincial Directorate for this organization and technical support. Our work was carried out not under the instruction of any institution, authority, or provincial directorate, but entirely on the basis of friendship and volunteerism. We have an understanding that works with heart and faith, not by orders. We are following with regret the efforts to portray this support for our friend and colleague as a commercial or political bargain, and we present the truth to you in its simplest form."
INVESTIGATION LAUNCHED The incident came to the public's attention when BirGün reporter Ebru Çelik personally attended the ceremony through a casting agency and reported on what happened inside. The news reported that individuals brought from a casting agency were present at the ceremony and were given practice on how to chant slogans before the event. Meanwhile, a participant speaking to Sözcü TV stated that they attended the ceremony through an agency for 950 TL and that they did not normally support Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu.
As the allegations grew, the CHP administration argued that the news did not reflect the truth. The harshest reaction to the process came from CHP Istanbul Provincial Chairman Gürsel Tekin. Targeting media outlets, Tekin played an audio recording in which reporter Çelik was insulted during a live broadcast and announced that he had filed a criminal complaint. Following these developments, it was reported that the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office launched an official investigation into the 'extra' news and allegations.