18.08.2026 22:50
Following the knife attack against New Party deputy Melih Meriç in Gaziantep, reactions came in succession from politics. Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi, Justice Minister Akın Gürlek, AK Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik, and New Party Chairman Özgür Özel condemned the attack and conveyed their get-well wishes to Meriç. A call was made for the attack to be fully clarified in all its aspects and for those responsible to be held accountable before justice.
The knife attack carried out against New Party Gaziantep Deputy Melih Meriç in Gaziantep has become the focus of the political agenda. While Meriç’s treatment continues, Minister of Interior Mustafa Çiftçi, Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek, AK Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik, and New Party Chairman Özgür Özel condemned the attack and demanded that those responsible be brought to light.
INTERIOR MINISTER ÇİFTÇİ: WE WILL CONTINUE TO STAND AGAINST VIOLENCE
Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi stated that the attack on Melih Meriç deeply saddened everyone and said that targeting a deputy is unacceptable.
Çiftçi said, “We will continue to stand against all kinds of violence that target the environment of peace and security in our country.”
Stating that efforts continue to shed light on all aspects of the incident, Çiftçi noted that the process is being followed meticulously and conveyed his get-well wishes to Meriç, his family, and party members.
JUSTICE MINISTER GÜRLEK: THE PERPETRATORS WILL BE HELD ACCOUNTABLE BEFORE JUSTICE
Minister of Justice Akın Gürlek, in his statement regarding the attack, described the attack on Meriç as a “heinous attack” and condemned it strongly.
Wishing Meriç a speedy recovery, Gürlek announced that a judicial investigation was immediately launched by the Gaziantep Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office following the attack.
Gürlek emphasized that all dimensions of the attack would be clarified and that the necessary steps were being taken decisively to ensure those responsible would account for their actions before justice.
ÖMER ÇELİK: CULTURE OF VIOLENCE MUST ALSO BE CONDEMNED IN THE POLITICAL ARENA
AK Party Spokesperson Ömer Çelik also reacted to the attack. Stating that all forms of violence must be condemned, Çelik said that the culture of violence must also be definitively rejected in the political arena.
Çelik said, “All forms of violence are cursed. The culture of violence must be condemned in the political arena as it is in every field.”
Çelik wished Meriç, whose treatment continues, a speedy recovery and sent a get-well message to his family and party organization.
ÖZGÜR ÖZEL: I CONDEMN THE DESPICABLE ATTACK
New Party Chairman Özgür Özel, in his statement following the attack, condemned the attack on Meriç with strong words.
Noting that Meriç’s surgery was successful and his health condition is good, Özel said, “We never accept that the shadow of violence, threats, and bullying falls on politics, and we expect those responsible to be punished as soon as possible.”
Özel wished Meriç a speedy recovery and his return among them as soon as possible.