17.08.2025 18:07
Aydın Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Özlem Çerçioğlu, who switched from the CHP to the AK Party, broke her silence following the allegations made against her. In response to the question, "What is behind the party change?" she said, "The construction mafia and the profits from construction... If I don't say it, it will stay inside me."
The resignation of Aydın Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Özlem Çerçioğlu from the CHP and her joining the AK Party has caused a significant stir in the public. While many allegations have been made regarding Çerçioğlu's transition to the AK Party, she broke her silence to Yavuz Donat from Sabah newspaper.
"I WAITED FOR MONTHS, NO RESPONSE"
Çerçioğlu stated about her conversation with Özgür Özel at the CHP Headquarters, "I went into a waiting mode. A few more writings/decisions came from Kuşadası. All in the same direction. It is against the regulations. There is profit. I rejected it. Aydın Metropolitan Municipality Council decision. I waited for months, and there was no response. Then the attacks began. Insults came from local media and so-called journalists. It was ugly and unethical. I cannot repeat these to you. It is very shameful," she said.
"THERE IS NO SUCH THING AS LIES OR BRIBERY"
In response to allegations that Aydın Metropolitan Municipality gave some tenders to Aziz İhsan Aktaş in exchange for bribes, Çerçioğlu said, "Lies. Lies. Lies. There is no such thing as bribery. The person mentioned received a tender from us. Through normal means. An open tender for everyone. Then bribery allegations emerged, and a judicial process began. The Aydın Chief Public Prosecutor's Office and the Council of State issued a decision of non-prosecution. Exactly one year ago. Unfortunately, whoever says something about this issue is not telling the truth. Because Mr. Özgür Özel does not know the essence of the matter, he also slandered me. What can I say? May God protect people from baseless slander," she replied.
"IF I DON'T SAY IT, IT WILL STAY INSIDE ME"
Özlem Çerçioğlu explained the reason for her resignation from the CHP and joining the AK Party with the words, "Mafia and profit. Construction mafia. Construction profit. If I don't say it, it will stay inside me."
STRIKING RESPONSE TO ALLEGATIONS ABOUT HER HUSBAND'S COMPANY
In response to the question regarding her husband's company, "Jantsa... The claim is that the company has had some problems. Cash flow, payment difficulties, urgent credit needs... And the situation has put you in a difficult position. What is the truth of this matter?" Aydın Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Özlem Çerçioğlu answered, "All lies, all slander. Jantsa is the tax champion of Aydın. Among the largest industrial enterprises in Turkey, in the top 500. 85% of its production goes to export. Construction mafia... They couldn't do what they wanted. I rejected all of them. I turned them down. They chose this path to silence me and wear me down. They are like a lie machine. They are after obtaining profit through threats," she stated.