10.02.2026 21:22
Keçiören Mayor Mesut Özarslan, who resigned from the CHP, responded to the statements of CHP Chairman Özgür Özel. In his statement, Özarslan said, "While he struggles in the pit of lies he has fallen into to continue his politics, I will not stoop to his level in response to Özgür Özel's delusions directed at me and my family."
After resigning from the Republican People's Party (CHP), Keçiören Mayor Mesut Özarslan has entered the political agenda and continues to be a topic of discussion.
HARSH WORDS FROM ÖZGÜR ÖZEL
Özgür Özel, the CHP Chairman, who claimed that Özarslan insulted him, spoke at his party's group meeting. Özel confirmed the messages allegedly exchanged between him and Keçiören Mayor Mesut Özarslan and read them one by one from the podium.
Özel, who stated, "Everything I said is aimed at personality identification," emphasized that he did not make any accusations against Özarslan's family.
ÖZARSLAN'S POISON RESPONSE
Özarslan responded to Özel's statements. In a statement on his social media account, Özarslan said, "Özgür Özel; in his group speech on February 10, 2026, has lied while looking everyone in the eye. Specifically, he has lied to his closest colleagues, deputies, mayors, provincial and district heads, and the public, by altering the content of the insults and slanders in the messages he sent to me and concealing other insulting messages. It is unbecoming of a party leader to make false statements while looking people in the eye," he said.
"I FEEL SORRY FOR HIS STRUGGLES IN THE PIT OF LIES"
Responding to the allegations against him, Özarslan stated, "He claimed that I told the Ankaragücü Tribun Leader, 'I am switching to the AK Party, support me, and I will buy you an apartment.' These words have been described as 'untrue, baseless, and slanderous' by Muammer Polat, a member of the Ankaragücü Board of Directors, and other officials. Moreover, the tribune groups of Ankaragücü have vehemently denied this statement on their social media. I feel sorry for the struggles of the Chairman in the pit of lies he has fallen into," he expressed.
"I HAVEN'T EATEN ANY ILLEGAL BITE TO HAVE A STOMACHACHE"
Regarding the investigations, Mesut Özarslan stated: "He has accused me of corruption by providing the numbers of 5 investigation files being conducted by the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. However, the name Mansur Yavaş is at the top of the list of suspects in these investigation files, and the other names are the bureaucrats and general managers of the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality and its affiliated companies. I see it as a complete mental breakdown for a party leader to accuse the Mayor of his own party, Mansur Yavaş, and other bureaucrats, using these files against me. I do not have a shield of immunity like him.
"THE APPRAISAL BELONGS TO THE JUDICIAL AUTHORITIES"
Every citizen has the right to apply to the prosecutor's office if they believe a crime has been committed. I do not feel disturbed by these investigation files, and I have no negative attitude towards my politician friends who are complainants in these files. If our state sees the need to call me for a statement on any matter, I am ready to give a statement with peace of mind. Indeed, on October 23, 2025, in an investigation regarding tenders conducted against the officials of the Municipal Affiliated Company, the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office decided that there was no ground for prosecution without even calling for my statement.
At the time the decision was made, I was the CHP Keçiören Mayor, and this decision shows that the judiciary made its decision without politicizing. I can confidently say on my behalf, 'I haven't eaten any illegal bite to have a stomachache.' I believe that my other bureaucrat friends who are complained about have not committed any criminal acts. The appraisal belongs to the prosecutor's office and judicial authorities that make decisions on behalf of the Turkish nation."
"I WILL NOT LOWER MYSELF TO HIS LEVEL"
Özarslan continued his statement, saying, "Özgür Özel; in his statement today, has again crossed the boundaries of decency, implying that I am a bad person by birth with the phrase 'rotten seed Mesut,' that this evil comes from my lineage and family, that my character is bad, and that I am morally problematic. In order to continue his politics, while struggling in the pit of lies he has fallen into, I will absolutely not lower myself to his level regarding his delusions towards me and my family, and I will file a criminal complaint against him again on behalf of myself and my family," he stated.