New statement from Gökhan Zan: I ask the people of Hatay to support me by stamping 'yes'

TİP announced in a press release that Gökhan Zan's candidacy had been withdrawn. Regarding the development that hit the country's political agenda like a bombshell, Gökhan Zan made statements to İsmail Saymaz on Sözcü TV.

"Whoever made this setup, this montage, will be decided by the prosecutor's office. The montages of the audio recording between two people will be revealed. I told TİP, let's go to the prosecutor's office, let's go together and file a criminal complaint, but no one came with me.

The audio recordings are lies, and since I have no discomfort or doubt about this matter, I did not apply to the prosecutor's office to obtain a publication ban. I am saying it very clearly: for me, the statement is essential. Until today, I have kept my distance from politicians who have had audio recordings and such montages released about them, and I have not made any statements. When Mr. Muharrem İnce's recordings were released, I also kept my distance and remained silent.

I have made my application to the prosecutor's office, and those mentioned regarding the recordings will also seek their rights in court. I am never taking a step back.

İsmail Saymaz: Who is Turgay Kocakaya and what is his relationship with Gökhan Zan?

He was introduced as an AKP businessperson, but he is a geologist and geographer. After the earthquakes, I had meetings with him to inform the people of Hatay. Other than that, he was someone who introduced himself as an Alevi, a leftist, and a revolutionary.

We had conversations with him both about the earthquake and about private matters regarding daily life; we came together. However, the alleged conversations did not take place; I did not have any offers or requests such as asking for money or wanting to do sports commentary on a channel.

He said that I was well-suited for politics and that I could enter politics. We had dialogues such as that he could be my consultant.

İsmail Saymaz: What did they want money from you for?

They came with montages and wanted me to withdraw from the candidacy. When I said I would go to the prosecutor's office, he moved away. But who would want me to withdraw? Could Lütfü Savaş have given the instruction to blackmail me? Did Lütfü Savaş want these montages to be published?

Offers came to me saying, 'If you are tired, you can withdraw.' Who would want me to withdraw from the candidacy? Lütfü Savaş would, because he knew he couldn't win. Did he think he could scare and intimidate me with a simple montage? Legally, I am still TİP's candidate.

İsmail Saymaz: Why did TİP take such a decision? It is said that the recordings were examined forensically and are true.

I cannot know that. It takes a long time to have them examined forensically. I personally applied to the prosecutor's office for them to be examined. Why didn't they go to the prosecutor's office with the recordings themselves? Why didn't they come with me? As of last night, I filed a criminal complaint. TİP played the audio recordings for me at the Hatay headquarters. We talked about these being montages and let's go to the prosecutor's office, but they said let's wait for Monday. They even said, 'If you are tired, you can withdraw.'

When I got the recordings, I applied to the duty prosecutor's office in İskenderun and called the press members, saying I would make a statement. Isn't the important thing the result that will come from the judiciary?

İsmail Saymaz: Why did you wait three or four weeks?

I had previously made an application regarding the recordings that came into my possession; this recording came into my hands recently, and I made my application immediately. I already had a big argument with TİP about three weeks ago. I was not supported; I had to run around in the field all by myself. They didn't invite me to any rallies in Samandağ. They didn't let me speak, and I kept silent; I didn't want to cause harm. They tried to apply mobbing to me.

As Gökhan Zan, I am the TİP metropolitan mayoral candidate; I want the people of Hatay to support me by stamping 'yes' where my name is on the ballot. Now the word belongs to the judiciary.

These individuals came using Lütfü Savaş's name; they came with offers of money, tons of money, for me to withdraw, and these people are coming using Lütfü Savaş's name.

The people of Hatay said they were by my side after what happened; they said their support for me is full. After the decision from the prosecutor's office, we will all face the facts.

I don't know if they will be ashamed when the facts come out, but on the day my righteousness is revealed, we will talk about these recordings again; I will not bow to these conspiracies, and I will continue to walk these streets.

I will appear before my people as a clean person.