09.02.2026 13:50
Keçiören Mayor Mesut Özarslan, who resigned from the CHP in a controversial manner and filed a criminal complaint against Özgür Özel, responded to the question about which party he would continue with by saying, "I am currently serving independently. Both the AK Party and MHP are distant to me. We will see how it goes."
Mesut Özarslan, the Mayor of Keçiören who resigned from the CHP and is claimed to be switching to the AK Party in the group meeting on Wednesday, made a statement regarding the matter.
RESIGNED FROM CHP
Mesut Özarslan, the Mayor of Keçiören, resigned from his party CHP yesterday. Özarslan cited the messages sent to him via WhatsApp by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel as the reason for his decision. Özel commented on these messages, saying, "I did not include his parents, but there is anger and insult in politics." It was alleged in the messages shared by the President of the Turkish Press Federation, Sinan Burhan, that Özel used expressions such as "Dog, get lost, low dog get lost, your place is next to them, sycophant, characterless bastard, you are where you deserve, you are where you fit" towards Özarslan.
CRIMINAL COMPLAINT AGAINST ÖZEL
After the messages were leaked, Mesut Özarslan took action and filed a criminal complaint against CHP Chairman Özgür Özel for 'threat' and 'insult' at the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.
HE MADE A STATEMENT
Mesut Özarslan, the Mayor of Ankara Keçiören who resigned from CHP, held a press conference and made important statements. Özarslan reportedly harshly criticized CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, who sent him threatening and insulting messages.
"WE WILL CONTINUE ON OUR PATH"
Speaking about his resignation from CHP, Özarslan said, "We will continue to serve our people. Together with our friends who walk with us, we will continue on our path with those who believe in us and vote for us."
"I FILED A CRIMINAL COMPLAINT AGAINST ÖZGÜR ÖZEL"
Referring to Özgür Özel's messages, Özarslan stated, "Based on the messages sent to me, I filed a criminal complaint against CHP Chairman Mr. Özgür Özel as of this morning. Additionally, other members of my family, my sister, my younger brother, also said, 'We want to be involved too.' We do not use vulgar language towards anyone. We do not find it appropriate either. It saddens us that the Chairman of Atatürk's party is in such a light position." he expressed.
"WE WILL CONTINUE OUR WORK WITHOUT DISCRIMINATING AGAINST OUR CHP BROTHERS"
Özarslan stated, "We will continue our work without discriminating against our CHP brothers. Our cause is a single cause, which is the cause of humanity. We will continue to serve the people of Keçiören and the people of Ankara." he said.
"SLANDERERS WILL CONTINUE TO DROWN IN THE SWAMP"
Mesut Özarslan reacted to claims about him 'switching to another party' by saying, "They will continue as slanderers. Mesut Özarslan is a Muslim Turkish child. All of these are empty words. The same words, the same slanders for 7 years. Thank God, I have never had to give a statement regarding this issue. Some complain, but it doesn't hold. Slanderers will continue to drown in the swamp."
"THEY ARE BETRAYING THEIR OWN PARTY, THEY DO NOT SEE IT"
Referring to his dialogue with CHP Chairman Özel, Özarslan said, "On Friday evening, our Chairman called, we already talked, we messaged. The next day we messaged again. He sent messages containing vulgar language. They label us as traitors. We did not betray. They are betraying their own party, they do not see it. They are trampling on the opportunity in their hands. May God make their end good."
"I WILL HOLD YOU ACCOUNTABLE FOR THAT WORD"
Özarslan, who asked, "Özgür Özel deleted the messages, why did you delete them Özgür Özel?" stated, "Doesn't the state see this? Doesn't technology see this? I will hold you accountable for that 'bastard' word that treats my late father and mother as if they do not exist. What does the word 'bastard' mean? Am I understanding something else? I leave it to the conscience of the people of Ankara. He cannot escape from this, he has been disgraced in front of Turkey. I think his party members will punish him for this. Mr. Özgür Özel will not be able to get out of this swamp."
HE GAVE THE FIRST SIGNAL FOR TRANSFER
Regarding which party he will continue with from now on, Özarslan replied, "I am currently continuing my service independently. Of course, we used to sit with our friends from the AK Party in the past. I have MHP roots. Of course, we talk and sit with them, but we did not discuss the issue of switching parties. Neither the AK Party nor the MHP is distant to me."