19.08.2026 15:40
While the treatment of New Party Member of Parliament Melih Meriç, who was seriously injured in a knife attack in Gaziantep, continues in intensive care, it has been learned that on the day of the incident, he gave permission to his protection police by stating he had private business. The suspect, Seydi Ahmet K., who is alleged to have carried out the attack because he was not nominated for the district chairmanship, said, 'I am very sorry, the MP is my friend. He provoked me a lot. I am very sorry, I did not do it intentionally. I am very glad he survived.' Seydi Ahmet K. and his son Hakan K. were arrested.
The former CHP Oğuzeli District Chairman Seydi Ahmet Keleş and his son Keleş, who stabbed New Party Gaziantep Deputy Melih Meriç, were arrested.
ARGUMENT TURNED INTO A FIGHT, HE STABBED THE DEPUTY
The incident occurred in Karataş Neighborhood yesterday evening. An argument broke out between New Party Gaziantep Deputy Melih Meriç and Seydi Ahmet Keleş, who approached him on the street.
The argument quickly turned into a fight. During the fight, Seydi Ahmet Keleş, who was also the former CHP Oğuzeli district chairman, stabbed Meriç and fled. Police and health teams were dispatched to the address upon reports from those nearby to the 112 Emergency Call Center. Meriç, who received first aid at the scene, was taken to Gaziantep City Hospital.
Meriç, whose intestines were damaged by the knife blow, was taken into surgery in the evening. Meanwhile, the incident was captured on security camera. The footage showed Seydi Ahmet Keleş stabbing Deputy Meriç during the scuffle.
THE REASON FOR THE STABBING EMERGED
It was stated that Seydi Ahmet Keleş, who is reported to have 27 criminal records, resigned from CHP after the New Party was founded and joined this party. It was claimed that Seydi Ahmet Keleş was angry with Melih Meriç because he was not nominated for the district chairmanship.
THEY WERE REFERRED TO THE COURT
Provincial Police Department teams, who launched an investigation into the incident, identified the vehicle Seydi Ahmet Keleş fled in. Five suspects, including Seydi Ahmet Keleş, suspect A.Ç., commercial vehicle driver E.D. whom he boarded after changing vehicles, Keleş's son Hakan Keleş, and private security guard R.Ç. who was at the scene, were taken into custody. The suspects' questioning at the police station ended today at noon.
The suspect who stabbed and wounded New Party Deputy Melih Meriç and 4 others were referred to the courthouse after their procedures at the police station.
HERE ARE HIS FIRST WORDS
Answering reporters' questions during the referral, Seydi Ahmet Keleş said, "I am regretful, I didn't do it intentionally. I am very regretful, the deputy is my friend. He provoked me a lot. I am very regretful, I didn't do it intentionally. I am very glad he survived."