Targeted over his attire: First statement from dismissed Ardahan Governor Mehmet Fatih Çiçekli

Ardahan Governor Mehmet Fatih Çiçekli, who became the focus of controversy due to the clothing he wore while cycling, has been dismissed by a decree signed by AKP Chairman and President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan. Gaziantep Şehitkamil District Governor Ömer Hilmi Yamlı has been appointed in Çiçekli's place.

Çiçekli's name had recently come to the fore following the circulation of images taken while he was cycling. The debate was also carried to the General Assembly of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey (TBMM), where CHP Kars MP İnan Akgün Alp displayed a photograph of Çiçekli from the podium and voiced his criticisms.

In his speech, Alp stated, "Four bodyguards in front and behind him. He is walking around among the citizens in tights. A governor cannot be like this. I am calling out to the Minister of Interior; either remove these governors or send them grape leaves to cover themselves."

FIRST STATEMENT FROM ÇİÇEKLİ

Speaking to BirGün following his dismissal, Çiçekli stated that the attire in question was sportswear. Saying "Keep pedaling," Çiçekli remarked, "I am a sailing and rowing athlete. I am a cyclist. The outfit I was wearing is sportswear. I do sports in sportswear. The decision is the discretion of our superiors."

Emphasizing that the outfit in question is one used during cycling, Çiçekli noted that he is involved in various branches of sports at a near-professional level. Çiçekli stated that this outfit was not worn during working hours, but during morning exercise.

Responding to the question "What will you do from now on?" with "Keep pedaling," Çiçekli expressed that he does not do sports for the sake of appearances or image. Explaining that he rows in Istanbul, sails in the Marmara and Aegean, and cycles in Ankara and Karaburun, Çiçekli stated that he would do even more sports from now on.

Stating that he learned of his dismissal through the decree, Çiçekli said, "This decision is the discretion of our superiors. They have deemed it appropriate. May our state and nation endure."

At the end of his statement, Çiçekli also commemorated former governor Recep Yazıcıoğlu, saying that Yazıcıoğlu had faced various accusations during his professional life and remains a source of inspiration for him.