Transfer tension at the municipality: Stabbing incident occurs

A personnel transfer between Karşıyaka Municipality and Konak Municipality in İzmir has been brought to the judiciary following allegations of a stabbing incident. Former Karşıyaka Municipality employee Bülent Gerçek claimed that he was stabbed by Çağrı Yılmaz, the brother of former Chief of Staff Utku Yılmaz, after he posted a social media comment regarding Yılmaz starting a position at Konak Municipality.

According to the allegations, Utku Yılmaz, who served as Chief of Staff at Karşıyaka Municipality for a period, was removed from his post following complaints against him and began working as a civil servant at Konak Municipality. Bülent Gerçek wrote a comment under a social media post by Konak Mayor Nilüfer Çınarlı Mutlu, urging that Yılmaz not be appointed. In his comment, Gerçek reportedly linked Yılmaz to the dismissal of 93 people at Kent A.Ş., a subsidiary of Karşıyaka Municipality.

Following this comment, it is alleged that Çağrı Yılmaz called Gerçek on the phone and requested a meeting. It was reported that the parties met in Karşıyaka, and that at the meeting point, Gerçek encountered not only Çağrı Yılmaz but also Volkan Şimşek, who is said to be Utku Yılmaz's official driver.

The discussion during the meeting reportedly turned into a fight in a short time. According to Bülent Gerçek's account, Çağrı Yılmaz stabbed him four times, once in the back and three times in the leg. It was learned that Gerçek, who was taken to Çiğli Training and Research Hospital, was discharged after receiving treatment.

In a statement regarding the incident, Gerçek said, "I have filed a complaint against the instigator Utku Yılmaz, his brother Çağrı Yılmaz who stabbed me, and Volkan Şimşek." Gerçek also alleged that Volkan Şimşek held his arm during the scuffle.