14.05.2026 11:10
Former Uşak Mayor Özkan Yalım, who testified under the scope of effective remorse, claimed to have given a total of 1.2 million Turkish Lira to Özgür Özel before the CHP congress. In Yalım's allegations, details regarding WhatsApp messages and the delivery of money drew attention.
The statements made by former Uşak Mayor Özkan Yalım, who was arrested on bribery charges and suspended from duty, under the scope of effective remorse remain on the agenda. Yalım claimed that he gave a total of 1.2 million TL to CHP Chairman Özgür Özel before the 38th Ordinary Congress of the CHP held on November 4-5, 2023.
"I LEFT THE MONEY ON THE WALL"
Özkan Yalım alleged that after the Manisa Provincial Congress on September 24, he delivered 200,000 TL following Özgür Özel's direction. In his statement, Yalım said he communicated with Özel via WhatsApp: "When I got close to the house, I called Özel on WhatsApp. I said I brought 200,000 TL and that the money was in a bag. He told me to leave it on the wall next to the entrance door and then return to my car."
CORRESPONDENCE IN THE FILE DRAWS ATTENTION
Yalım claimed that after this payment, Özel requested money again, and this time he gave 1 million TL. It was alleged that in WhatsApp messages included in the case file, according to Yalım's statement, Özgür Özel used the words: "Arrange as much money as you can, determine it according to your own budget."
Yalım alleged that after he said he arranged 1 million TL, Özel sent him a message on October 13 saying, "Özkan, put it in my blue suitcase in Denizli tomorrow as a solid package."
"HE CAME WITH ÖZEL'S VEHICLE AND TOOK THE MONEY"
Özkan Yalım claimed that he delivered the aforementioned money on October 14 in Denizli. Stating that he communicated again via WhatsApp with Özgür Özel, who came to Denizli to meet with congress delegates, Yalım said: "I asked how I would deliver the 1 million TL I brought. He said, 'Handle it with Demirhan.' We met with Demirhan Gözaçan. He came with a vehicle belonging to Özgür Özel. I handed over 1 million TL in a dark-colored sports bag. Gözaçan put the bag in Özel's vehicle."
"DEPUTY MAYOR IS A WITNESS"
Yalım also claimed in his statement that there were witnesses for the two separate money deliveries. He alleged that Halil Arslan, currently serving as Deputy Mayor of Uşak, witnessed both the 200,000 TL left on the garden wall and the 1 million TL delivered to Demirhan Gözaçan.