Investigation launched into Ümit Dikbayır, who faces expulsion from IYI Party

In a statement released by the party, it was stated: "Our Joint Disciplinary Board met on 22.11.2023 and decided unanimously to LAUNCH AN INVESTIGATION, REQUEST HIS DEFENSE, AND ACCEPT THE REQUEST FOR PRECAUTIONARY MEASURES regarding Sakarya Deputy Ümit Dikbayır, who was referred to the Disciplinary Board by our Chairperson, Ms. Meral Akşener, with a request for permanent expulsion and precautionary measures due to the violation of 4 separate articles of our charter."

DIKBAYIR FILES CRIMINAL COMPLAINT AGAINST HIMSELF

Sakarya Deputy Ümit Dikbayır, who faces expulsion from the IYI Party, has filed a criminal complaint against himself. Dikbayır also submitted a petition to the Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM) requesting the lifting of his parliamentary immunity.

In the petition, Dikbayır listed the 4 allegations against him as follows:

– Having the bank accounts of IYI Party Chairperson Meral Akşener and her family members, as well as the IYI Party Chairperson's Chief of Staff Esma Bekar and her spouse, examined,

– Obtaining tenders and jobs for himself, his family, and third parties in the Ankara and Istanbul Metropolitan Municipalities, and acting as an intermediary in these matters,

– Using his status as a deputy to have a fine imposed on a business belonging to the IYI Party Hendek District Chairperson in Sakarya,

- Being the administrator of the account with the username @hizircelebi06, which was opened in October 2023 on the social media platform X.

The petition stated, "We respectfully request and demand on behalf of our client that an investigation be conducted by your Chief Public Prosecutor's Office regarding the allegations and accusations against our client for the crimes of misconduct in public office, rigging a public tender, abuse of influence, and violation of personal data."

REQUESTED THE LIFTING OF HIS IMMUNITY

Dikbayır also submitted a petition to the Speaker of the TBMM requesting the lifting of his immunity. The petition stated, "An application has been made by my lawyer to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office via the Sakarya Chief Public Prosecutor's Office to report the allegations and accusations against me, so that the matter can be examined and investigated by the judiciary."

The following was noted in the petition:

– In accordance with the second paragraph of Article 83 of the Constitution, 'A deputy who is alleged to have committed a crime before or after the election cannot be detained, interrogated, arrested, or tried without a decision of the Assembly.' In accordance with the mandatory provision of the Constitution, I respectfully request from your High Office that the necessary procedures be carried out to lift my legislative immunity so that the matters subject to this report can be investigated by judicial authorities and the necessary actions can be taken.