CHP reacts to Forensic Medicine Institute's statement on Murat Çalık: 'When will you let your conscience kick in?'

The Council of Forensic Medicine has issued a statement regarding Beylikdüzü Mayor Mehmet Murat Çalık, who was arrested and suspended from office as part of an investigation into the Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality. The statement claimed that there was no falsification in Çalık's medical file and that a diagnosis of lymphoma (lymph node cancer) did not appear in his past medical records. CHP's Murat Emir responded to the Forensic Medicine Institute's statement by asking, 'When will you let your conscience kick in?'

The statement noted that during his examination by the Specialized Board on July 16, Çalık stated that he had been diagnosed with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) M4 by the Marmara University Faculty of Medicine Hospital in 1999 and had been followed and treated for the disease. However, the statement noted that the current documents in the judicial file submitted to the board did not contain a pathology report or medical treatment document confirming that Çalık had suffered from the disease in question. It stated, 'Based on the medical documents and examination findings in the judicial file, it is considered that he has not had active leukemia for 26 years (he is in remission). As is medically known, AML is considered a complete cure if it does not recur for over 10 years.'

The statement included the following:

'The pathology report dated July 1 from the Izmir Atatürk Training and Research Hospital stated that the blast ratio was around 4-5 percent, that the biopsy sample taken was mostly from an area without marrow, known as cortical bone, and that the pathologist indicated that this biopsy result was not diagnostic at the desired level due to the insufficiency of the bone marrow material obtained, recommending examination and evaluation at a center with advanced hematology and pathology facilities in case of clinical suspicion of malignancy.'

In the laboratory examination conducted, the blast ratio in flow cytometry was 1-2 percent, no atypical (abnormal) cells were observed in the bone marrow aspiration evaluation, and no findings in favor of dysplasia (abnormal cell production) were found in the genetic examinations. When the individual's medical documents, laboratory findings, current medical status, and hematological evaluation are considered together, the blast ratio of the individual was evaluated by our Specialized Board as 3-4 percent.'

'THERE IS NO FALSIFICATION'

The statement, which expressed that all pathological results and evaluations belonging to Çalık were recorded completely and accurately in the pathology and health board reports dated July 1 and 7 at the Izmir Atatürk Training and Research Hospital, and that the blast ratio was clearly stated as 4-5 percent, noted the following:

'There is no falsification in the opinion prepared by our Specialized Board. According to the 2023 World Health Organization criteria, a blast ratio of 20 percent or higher is required to diagnose acute myeloid leukemia in a person. A blast ratio between 5-19 percent indicates myelodysplastic syndrome (a condition where the bone marrow structure deteriorates and produces abnormal blood cells). However, no findings in favor of dysplasia (abnormal cell production) or recurrence were detected in the bone marrow aspiration biopsy and genetic examinations of the individual, who has not had active disease for 26 years (is in remission).'

'NO ACTIVE DISEASE FOR 17 YEARS'

The statement noted that in Çalık's blood count test on July 11, the leukocyte count was 5,660 and the neutrophil count was 3,400, adding that similar results were observed in other recent blood count tests.

Stating that it was determined there was no leukopenia or neutropenia, the statement included the following: "It is medically known that for a diagnosis of leukopenia, the leukocyte value must be below 4,000, and for a diagnosis of neutropenia, the neutrophil value must be below 1,000. A diagnosis of mucoepidermoid carcinoma (parotid gland tumor) was made via a biopsy taken in 2008, and he recovered from this disease following the surgery and radiation therapy he underwent. This disease has not recurred since 2008, and he has had no active disease for approximately 17 years (he is in remission). This disease, which has not recurred for over 10 years, is considered fully cured."

The statement noted that the mass present on the right side of Çalık's neck was removed and that pathological examination determined it to be a benign mass.

'NO EVIDENCE OF SIGNIFICANT MUSCLE LOSS DETECTED'

The statement noted that based on the medical documents sent in the forensic file, as well as laboratory, hematological, and pathological examinations, a diagnosis of lymphoma (lymph node cancer) was not present in Çalık's medical history, contrary to claims. It stated: "In the examination conducted by our relevant Specialized Board on July 16, it was noted that the individual expressed complaints of weight loss, a matter included in our prepared opinion. His body weight was measured at 85 kilograms and his height at 183 centimeters, with his body mass index within normal limits (25.38). Furthermore, no evidence of significant muscle loss or cachexia (severe wasting) was detected."

'BY CONDUCTING A RE-EVALUATION...'

The statement indicated that in order to reach a definitive hematological and pathological diagnosis for Çalık, it was deemed appropriate to repeat the bone marrow biopsy—which was insufficient for a pathological diagnosis as recorded in the July 1 pathology report from İzmir Atatürk Training and Research Hospital—and to have it evaluated by pathologists specialized in the field of hemato-pathology using more sensitive and advanced methods, and added the following:

"Contrary to what has been alleged, our institution has one internal medicine hematology (Associate Professor), one pediatric hematology-oncology (Professor), and two internal medicine medical oncology (Professor) faculty members available. An opinion was prepared for the file in question by taking the views of the internal medicine hematology specialist and the internal medicine medical oncology board member. When the individual's pathological and laboratory examinations are evaluated together with their current health status examination, it was stated in the opinion prepared by our relevant Specialized Board that, as a definitive medical diagnosis could not be made, the individual should be referred to a fully equipped training and research hospital or university hospital with internal medicine, hematology, medical oncology, and psychiatry clinics, and that all necessary advanced examinations and medical treatments should be carried out through hospitalization."

The statement added, "As stated in the opinion prepared by our relevant Specialized Board on July 16, a final decision will be made by our relevant Specialized Board after a re-evaluation of the matters in question once the requested examinations and procedures are completed and the health board report showing the individual's final status and the results of the tests are submitted."

'WHEN WILL YOU ACTIVATE YOUR CONSCIENCE?'

CHP Group Deputy Chairman Murat Emir reacted to the institution's statement in a post on his X account. Emir stated the following:

"We understand from the Forensic Medicine's statement that the bone marrow sample taken from Mehmet Murat Çalık is insufficient for a diagnosis! They say further testing is required. So we ask: How many more times will our Beylikdüzü Mayor Mehmet Murat Çalık, who was arrested without any criminal charges, be dragged from hospital to hospital in handcuffs? There is neither legal evidence nor medical clarity! But the only thing that exists is the pathetic theater of a political settling of scores! What are you trying to prove by risking a person's health, dignity, and life? What more are you waiting for to release Mehmet Murat Çalık? For him to lose his health? When will you activate your conscience?"