04.05.2025 14:40
The first statement of the individual who physically attacked CHP Chairman Özgür Özel outside the Atatürk Cultural Center has emerged. It has been reported that the attacker said, "I had no intention to attack, I couldn't control my anger when I saw him. I asked for a meal card from the CHP, they didn't give it to me, so I got angry."
CHP General Chairman Özgür Özel was attacked with a punch by Sırrı Süreyya Önder, the Deputy Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and the Istanbul Deputy of the DEM Party, after the memorial ceremony held at the Atatürk Cultural Center (AKM).
HIS STATEMENT AT THE POLICE HAS EMERGED
S.T., 66, who punched Özel as he exited the AKM, was detained by police teams shortly after, and his statement at the police has also been obtained.
"I GOT ANGRY AT CHP CALLING YOUNG PEOPLE TO THE STREETS"
S.T., who has a criminal record for killing two children in Hatay in 2004 and was conditionally released after spending 20 years in prison, stated, "I applied to the Republican People's Party for a meal card before, but they did not give me food because I was not a party member. I had been angry for a long time because of this.
I had been keeping the anger I accumulated regarding CHP calling young people to the streets inside me. I left the apart hotel I was staying in Taksim, I heard there was a program. When I went there, I actually had no intention of attacking, but I couldn't control my nerves as soon as I saw it," it was learned.
HE WAS WORKING AS A DISHWASHER
It was determined that S.T. had no terrorist connections and was working as a dishwasher in a restaurant. It was learned that the suspect had not yet started his official statement, but he provided these answers to the initial questions.