Özgür Özel responds to presidential candidacy claims: 'If a political ban is imposed on İmamoğlu...'

CHP Chairman Özgür Özel traveled to Kocaeli to attend the funeral of Celal Akar, the father of former Deputy Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey and former Kocaeli MP Haydar Akar. Celal Akar, who had been receiving treatment for some time and passed away at the age of 87, was brought to the garden of his home in the Şirinsulhiye neighborhood of Kartepe district for the funeral service.

While Haydar Akar accepted condolences at the funeral, Kocaeli Governor İlhami Aktaş and Metropolitan Mayor Tahir Büyükakın also conveyed their sympathies. Following the funeral prayer led by Provincial Mufti Mehmet Sönmezoğlu, Celal Akar was laid to rest in the family cemetery.

In addition to CHP Chairman Özgür Özel, the funeral was attended by CHP Kocaeli MPs Harun Özgür Yıldızlı, Mühip Kanko, and Nail Çiler, CHP Provincial Chairman Bülent Sarı, protocol members, and numerous citizens.

CLEAR RESPONSE TO CANDIDACY CLAIMS

Responding to questions from members of the press after the funeral, Özel reacted to the claims regarding his presidential candidacy. When asked by a journalist, "Your name is being mentioned alongside Mansur Yavaş as a second candidate in the event that a political ban is imposed on İmamoğlu. How do you evaluate this?" Özel gave the following response:

"We came here to share in the grief of the Akar family. Haydar Akar is a very valuable friend with whom I have served as an MP since 2011 and who has held the position of Deputy Speaker of the Parliament. We are by his side on this painful day. Other than that, I have no interest in those tabloid topics."