27.03.2026 16:40
Uşak Mayor Özkan Yalım was detained along with 21-year-old municipal staff member S.A. in a luxury hotel room in Ankara. While the repercussions of the incident continue, CHP leader Özgür Özel made a statement saying, "We are under pressure all over Turkey, but we stand tall."
As part of the investigation conducted by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor's Office, an action was initiated against Uşak Mayor Özkan Yalım for the crimes of "bribery," "embezzlement," and "manipulating a tender." Within the scope of the investigation, 11 suspects, including Yalım, were detained.
DETAINED IN A HOTEL ROOM
It was determined that Mayor Özkan Yalım was caught in room 902 of a hotel, and during the detention, a 21-year-old woman named S.A., who works at the Uşak Municipality, was found with him.
STRONG REACTION FROM ÖZGÜR ÖZEL
CHP Chairman Özgür Özel reacted to the operation in a statement made at the World Congress of the Socialist International Youth Organization. Comparing the ongoing process in Turkey to the developments in Brazil, Özel reminded of the example of Lula. Özel stated, "A process similar to what happened in Brazil is taking place in Turkey. Remember the slanders against Lula, his imprisonment, and the attempts to keep him out of the election. If we succeed, think about what we have achieved."
"WE ARE STANDING TALL"
Özel, who argued that the CHP is under pressure, said, "Just last night, the Chief Prosecutor of Istanbul, who has no authority, is bringing our Uşak Mayor to Istanbul. 19 of our mayors are inside. The trial of 450 of our friends, 107 of whom are detained, is ongoing in Silivri. We are under pressure all over Turkey, but we are standing tall."
CHP'S KARAOBA: WHAT KIND OF MIND IS THIS?
CHP Uşak Deputy Ali Karaoba also reacted to the manner of detention. Karaoba stated, "What kind of mind is it to detain someone in a hotel room when they could be detained at home?"