Statement from AKP-run Gelibolu Municipality regarding the November 10 scandal
For the November 10 Atatürk Commemoration Day, the Gelibolu Municipality in Çanakkale hung posters across the district depicting the Great Leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk behind bars. Following widespread outrage, the banners were swiftly removed, and the Gelibolu Municipality issued a statement regarding the incident.
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The Gelibolu Municipality in Çanakkale, governed by AKP Mayor Ali Kamil Soyuak, drew backlash for hanging banners and posters across the district for the November 10 Atatürk Commemoration Day that depicted Atatürk behind iron bars. The image showing Atatürk behind bars was displayed throughout the district. Following the backlash, the municipality removed the banners and replaced them with an image of Atatürk featuring the crescent and star.
MUNICIPALITY DISMISSED IT AS A ‘TECHNICAL ERROR’
In response to the growing criticism, the Gelibolu Municipality stated that the banners were flawed due to a "technical error" and were removed as soon as the issue was noticed. The statement issued by the municipality included the following remarks:
"As soon as it was noticed that the November 10 banners, which were prepared and hung by our Municipality to honor the cherished memory of our great leader Mustafa Kemal Atatürk—to whose principles and reforms we are eternally committed, in whose greatest work, the Republic of Turkey, we are always honored and proud to live, and from whose ideas and views we never deviate—on the day of his passing, were flawed due to a technical error, our teams ensured they were removed from where they were hung. We regretfully condemn the individuals and groups who attempt to question our commitment to Atatürk through this mistake, seeking to create political material and manipulate public opinion in a negative way to gain attention... Long live Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, Long live the Republic of Turkey... How happy is the one who says I am a Turk..."