03.06.2026 11:00
CHP Group Chairman Özgür Özel spoke for the first time about Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's "FETÖ agents" statement. Arguing that it is impossible for him to be associated with FETÖ in Turkey, Özel said, "They have run out of bullets to burn, so they are burning the rifle stock."
Following the absolute nullity decision, CHP Group Chairman Özgür Özel, who chaired the party's first group meeting in Parliament, responded to questions regarding Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's "FETÖ agents" statement. Stating that the FETÖ insinuations against him are unacceptable, Özel used strong language.
After the group meeting, Özgür Özel met with journalists, including Haberler.com Ankara Representative Şerife Güzel, and made assessments on the current agenda.
"I AM ONE OF THE LAST PEOPLE IN TURKEY TO BE CALLED A FETÖ MEMBER"
Responding to a question about whether Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu's statements on FETÖ were referring to him, Özel recalled the support given to him by FETÖ victims.
Özel said, "Thank God, all FETÖ victims said, 'Özgür Özel is the last person in Turkey to be called a FETÖ member.' Calling Özgür Özel a FETÖ member means, 'There is no bullet left to burn, they are burning the rifle butt.'"
"THESE WORDS WERE SPOKEN TO MR. KEMAL FOR YEARS"
When reminded that Kılıçdaroğlu's "FETÖ agents" statement targeted him via Sabah newspaper, Özel said similar accusations were directed at the former CHP chairman for years.
"It's not that I'm upset, hurt, or surprised," Özel said. "We hear these words all the time. The ruling party media and Sabah newspaper directed these words at Mr. Kemal for years. Now the expressions haven't changed. This time, Mr. Kemal is saying them to me, or it's implied that he's referring to me."
HE REMINDED FETÖ VICTIMS
Özel argued that the accusations against him were unjustified and noted that victims of FETÖ cases and individuals tried in conspiracy processes supported him.
Özel stated, "After hearing this from İlker Başbuğ, from KUMPASDER, from Ahmet Tatar, and from the Balyoz victims, what else can they stuff into Sabah newspaper's mouth?"
WHAT DID KILIÇDAROĞLU SAY?
Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu, who was reinstated as CHP Chairman by the absolute nullity decision, said in a speech at a public gathering at the headquarters, "I apologize to you for not being able to detect FETÖ agents in time." After these words, discussions emerged in CHP circles about who the statement targeted.