İYİ Party seeks expulsion of Murat Kaftar following backlash over statue post: Received numerous criticisms

İYİ Party member Kaftar shared a 3D reinterpretation of a work originally created in 1947 by cartoonist Ramiz for a humor magazine, which was displayed at the art fair at the Lütfü Kırdar Congress Center. The post drew significant backlash.

Kaftar's post was targeted on social media with allegations of 'attacking Islam'.Following the incident,Kaftar was taken intocustodyand a decision was made to arrest him.

Following the reactions regarding Kaftar,the İYİ Party Headquarters sent a letter to the party's Kayseri Provincial Presidency regarding Kaftar's expulsion.proposed. The writingincluded the following statements:

"In line with the news reports reflected in the press on 05.12.2025, upon the instructions of the Office of the Chairman, the General Secretariatconducted an investigation; it was determined that the individual named Murat Kaftar became a member in 2020,resigned in 2021, and in 2025, the İYİ Party Tstatute"in violation of Article 11, titled "Readmission to Membership", in a manner that is clearly contrary to the regulations; both the district executive board's opinionIt has been determined thatmembership wasreinstated withoutobtaining approval andwithout a decision from the provincial executive board.It has been determined that the membership was processed.

In accordance with the written instructions of the Office of the Chairman; the aforementionedthe individual in question, who is also a member of the İYİ Party,has acted in violation of the party'sbylaws, program, and foundingprinciples,anddue to theseactions, the İYİ Party has initiated disciplinary proceedings.the Article 76, paragraph 'a' of clause 'D' of the by-laws, I submit for your attention the matter of his immediate permanent expulsion with precautionary measures."