CHP Kilis Provincial Chair Umut Mehmet Sapan resigns following his release

CHP Kilis Provincial Chair Umut Mehmet Sapan, who was released after being arrested as part of an Istanbul-based investigation, has announced his resignation. Sapan, who was released after 11 days in custody, stated in a written statement one day after his release that the legal process he went through had significant effects on him and his family.

"The headquarters did not show the necessary interest and support throughout the process"

Citing family reasons and ongoing health issues, Sapan expressed that he had concluded it was no longer possible for him to continue his duties as CHP Kilis Provincial Chair. Sapan also noted that the party headquarters did not show the necessary interest and support throughout the process, and therefore he felt abandoned. Explaining that he resigned from his post for these reasons, Sapan thanked his family, Kilis Mayor Hakan Bilecen, party members, and citizens who supported him during the process.

"I must express with sadness that I was left alone"

In his statement, Sapan said, "My esteemed fellow citizens and dear party members. As you know, since May 23, I have gone through a difficult legal process and remained in custody for 11 days. As a result, justice was served yesterday following the acceptance of our objections to the arrest warrant, and I was released. Thank God, from the beginning of the process, I have always had the same sentence on my lips: I have never eaten or allowed anyone to eat anything illicit. At this point, due to both my family reasons and ongoing health problems, I have concluded that it is impossible to continue the Provincial Chairmanship at this stage, upon the advice of my loved ones. At the same time, I must express with sadness that our party headquarters did not show the necessary interest and support throughout the process and that I was left alone. For these reasons, I am resigning from my position as the Republican People's Party Kilis Provincial Chair. I would like to express my gratitude one by one to my dear family who did not leave me alone for a moment during this process, our Mayor and my dear friend Hakan Bilecen, our very valuable party members, and all my fellow citizens who believed that justice would be served as soon as possible."