19.08.2026 18:40
Following the knife attack on New Party Gaziantep Deputy Melih Meriç, former CHP Oğuzeli District Chairman Seydi Ahmet Keleş and his son Hakan Keleş, who were referred to the courthouse, were arrested. Keleş, who said at the courthouse entrance, 'I am very sorry, I am very glad you are alive,' revealed in his police statement the district chairmanship crisis behind the attack.
The former CHP Oğuzeli District Chairman Seydi Ahmet Keleş, who stabbed New Party Gaziantep Deputy Melih Meriç and fled before surrendering, along with his son and 3 other suspects involved in the incident, were referred to the courthouse after legal procedures and health checks at the police station were completed.
"I AM VERY GLAD HE SURVIVED"
Suspect Keleş drew attention with his statements to journalists during his referral to the courthouse, responding, "I regret it, I didn't do it intentionally. I am very sorry, the deputy is my friend. He provoked me a lot. I am very sorry, I didn't do it intentionally. I am very glad he survived."
ARRESTED WITH HIS SON
Keleş was arrested along with his son Hakan Keleş, who was deemed to have concealed evidence, by the 1st Criminal Court of Peace.
HIS STATEMENT REVEALED
Meanwhile, Keleş's statement at the police station was revealed. Keleş said in his statement that he was the CHP Oğuzeli District Chairman until about a month ago. According to his account, Keleş resigned from CHP membership after the district administration was dissolved, and later joined the New Party.
Keleş stated that former CHP Gaziantep Deputy Melih Meriç had also joined the New Party about 15 days before him, and said he met with Meriç at a tea house in Oğuzeli.
According to Keleş, Meriç told him during this meeting, "You are an elected person. I also switched, you come to the New Party too. Continue with us as district chairman, I will have your appointment brought." However, the district chairmanship appointment Keleş expected did not happen.
THE EXPECTATION OF THE SEAT IGNITED THE FUSE
According to Keleş's account, the political tension began at this point. Keleş said that while he was waiting to be appointed as district chairman, he received information that another person would be assigned, and he therefore called Melih Meriç.
Keleş claimed that Meriç told him, "I will handle your matter, don't worry, wait," and said he later had a phone conversation with the New Party Gaziantep Provincial Chairman.
Keleş said he told the provincial chairman that "a person from the AK Party" would be appointed to Oğuzeli, and the conversation turned into an argument.
"HOW CAN YOU TALK LIKE THAT TO THE PROVINCIAL CHAIRMAN I APPOINTED?"
One of the most striking parts of the statement was about the period right after this phone call. Keleş claimed that Melih Meriç called him about 5-10 minutes after his argument with the provincial chairman. According to Keleş's statement, Meriç reacted to his conversation with the provincial chairman, swore heavily at him, and asked where he was.
Keleş alleged that Meriç told him, "How can you talk like that to the provincial chairman I appointed, how can you argue with him, where are you, I will come to you." The next day, it was noted that another person was appointed as the New Party Oğuzeli District Chairman instead of Keleş.
THEY RECONCILED AFTER THE FIGHT
According to Keleş's statement, the crisis between the parties temporarily subsided afterward. Keleş said Melih Meriç called him again and spoke, saying, "I am behind you, I will definitely give you a role within the party."
Keleş also said that a few days later, he sent a message to Meriç via WhatsApp saying, "My deputy, when you are available, come let's have some liver kebab, I kiss your hands." According to Keleş's account, after this message, another warm meeting took place between the two. However, the temporary peace did not last long.
THAT PHONE CALL ON THE DAY OF THE INCIDENT: SEND YOUR LOCATION, I'M COMING
According to Keleş's statement, the fuse of the bloody incident was reignited on August 18. Keleş, who openly said he started drinking alcohol alone at home around 14:00, said Melih Meriç called him about 15-20 minutes before the incident.
According to Keleş's claim, Meriç swore heavily at him on the phone and said, "What are you talking about behind my back? Send your location, I'm coming." Keleş admitted that he first said he was in Oğuzeli, then stated he was at his home and sent his location from his phone.
He said that about 5-6 minutes later, Meriç called again and said, "Come down, I'm in front of the complex."
HE PUT THE KNIFE IN HIS POCKET AT HOME
Keleş, claiming he was afraid because he thought Meriç had a bodyguard and carried a gun, clearly described that before going down, he put the "yellow-handled fruit knife" found at home into his back pocket. Then he went down to the front of the complex. According to Keleş's account, Melih Meriç was alone by his vehicle, with no driver or bodyguard nearby.
"4 THOUSAND PEOPLE WORK FOR ME"
Keleş claimed that when he approached Meriç, the argument started again. Keleş argued that Meriç swore at him and said, "I will finish you," and further alleged that the deputy threatened, "I have 4 thousand people working for me, I will finish you."
After these words, Keleş claimed that Meriç punched him, and he fell to the ground or staggered backward as a result of the blow.
"MY DEPUTY, GET OUT OF HERE"
Keleş admitted that after falling to the ground, he took the fruit knife from his pocket. He said he told Meriç, "My deputy, get out of here." Keleş claimed that despite this, the deputy came at him and punched him a second time.
Keleş also claimed he asked for help from citizens around, shouting, "Look, this person is hitting me, swearing at me, not leaving; come and send him away." According to Keleş's defense, Meriç then came at him again.
HE CONFESSED TO SWINGING THE KNIFE
Keleş said he saw Meriç reach for his waist, but did not see or know whether he had a weapon. Nevertheless, he admitted swinging the knife toward Meriç. In his statement, Keleş said, "I swung the knife toward him for self-defense."
Keleş claimed he did not initially realize whether the knife had hit, but noticed Meriç was injured a few seconds later when he saw blood stains on his shirt.
"CALL AN AMBULANCE, TAKE MY DEPUTY TO THE HOSPITAL"
Keleş said he stepped back a few steps from Meriç after the injury, saw the deputy continue walking toward him for a while, and then sit down by the curb.
Keleş claimed he called out to those around, "For God's sake, call an ambulance from somewhere, take my deputy to the hospital." He then left the scene. However, Keleş's subsequent actions were also considered significant for the investigation.
HE FLED THE SCENE AND THREW AWAY THE KNIFE
Keleş said he opened the back door of a car he did not recognize at the vehicle entrance of the complex and asked the driver to take him about 200 meters ahead.
Keleş, who said he then walked towards the City Hospital, admitted that he threw the knife he used in the incident somewhere around the hospital.
However, he claimed he didn't remember exactly where he threw it. Then, Keleş got into a commercial taxi and headed towards Oğuzeli.
HE CALLED HIS SON, THEN WENT INTO THE FIELDS
Keleş said that after getting out of the taxi, he called his son Hakan Keleş and asked him to come pick him up. Keleş, noting that his son arrived on a motorcycle, stated that his son told him, "Dad, I heard about the incident, let's go to the police."
However, according to his statement, Keleş did not accept this offer. The suspect said he told his son to go away, and then walked among the fields for about half an hour.
Keleş said that during this time, he might have dropped or thrown away his phone, and he didn't know where it was.
“IF I HAD WANTED TO KILL, THE SITUATION WOULD HAVE BEEN DIFFERENT”
Seydi Ahmet Keleş recounted that he sat in a field and waited for about 3-4 hours, then decided to go to the police. Stating that he walked for another 20-30 minutes and then went to the police station, Keleş said he told the police officers about the incident there.
Keleş concluded his statement with these words: “I am very sorry about this situation. I did not attempt to kill anyone. My aim was to protect myself. If I had wanted to kill, the situation would have been different.”