Ardahan Deputy Governor Mustafa Berat Kasımoğlu suspended from duty: Allegations of an illicit affair

According to a statement issued by the Ministry of Interior, Ardahan Deputy Governor Mustafa Berat Kasımoğlu has been suspended from his duties following a disciplinary investigation launched against him.

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In a written statement issued by the Ardahan Governor's Office, it was stated: ''As a result of the investigations conducted into Mustafa Berat Kasımoğlu, who was serving as the Deputy Governor of Ardahan and was assigned as the Deputy Governor of Yozgat as of 05.03.2026, a disciplinary investigation was initiated in accordance with Article 125 of the Civil Servants Law No. 657; as a result of the relevant investigation, Mustafa Berat Kasımoğlu has been suspended from his duties by the Ministry of Interior within the scope of Article 137 and subsequent articles of the same Law.''

ALLEGATIONS OF AN ILLICIT AFFAIR

According to claims in the local press, Deputy Governor Mustafa Berat Kasımoğlu, who holds an administrative position, was subjected to a knife attack as a result of an "illicit affair" scandal in which he was involved.

The incident occurred the previous evening at the home of a woman stated to be working as a secretary in a government office. It is alleged that while Deputy Governor Mustafa Berat Kasımoğlu was at the woman's home, her husband arrived. It is claimed that the husband, who allegedly suffered a nervous breakdown upon encountering the scene, attacked Mustafa Berat Kasımoğlu with a knife he took from the kitchen. The deputy governor, who was seriously injured by the knife wounds, collapsed to the floor.

It is alleged that neighbors who heard screams and sounds of fighting coming from the apartment notified the police, and medical teams arriving at the scene intervened and transported the injured to the hospital.

WHO IS MUSTAFA BERAT KASIMOĞLU?

Born in the Eminönü district, Mustafa Berat Kasımoğlu completed his primary and secondary education at Eyüp Topçular Primary School, and continued his high school education at Gaziosmanpaşa Plevne High School.

Kasımoğlu began his university education at Kocaeli University and subsequently graduated from the Public Administration department of Muğla Sıtkı Koçman University in 2014. This academic foundation prepared him to take on significant roles in the field of public administration in various provinces of Turkey in the following years.

After winning the 105th term district governorship exam in 2016, he began his provincial internship in Kahramanmaraş in July 2017, and shortly thereafter served as a district governor candidate in the Babaeski district of Kırklareli and the Of district of Trabzon. Subsequently, he served as acting district governor in the Dereli district of Giresun.

As part of his international experience, Kasımoğlu participated in an eight-month internship program in Liverpool, England, completed his language training at the University of Liverpool, and learned English to a high level. He was appointed as the District Governor of İkizce by the Ministry of Interior's 2019 decree and began his duties there, and assumed the role of Deputy Governor of Hakkari with the 2021 decree. Currently, Mustafa Berat Kasımoğlu serves as a deputy governor in Ardahan.

HOW OLD IS MUSTAFA BERAT KASIMOĞLU?

Mustafa Berat Kasımoğlu was born on January 16, 1990, and is 36 years old as of 2026.

WHERE IS MUSTAFA BERAT KASIMOĞLU FROM?

Mustafa Berat Kasımoğlu was born in the historic Eminönü district of Istanbul. Having completed most of his education in Istanbul, Kasımoğlu possesses a deep background in public administration through the professional experience he gained in different regions of Turkey.

IS MUSTAFA BERAT KASIMOĞLU MARRIED?

Mustafa Berat Kasımoğlu is married.

AREAS OF RESPONSIBILITY OF ARDAHAN DEPUTY GOVERNOR MUSTAFA BERAT KASIMOĞLU

Within the Ardahan Governor's Office, Mustafa Berat Kasımoğlu coordinates many institutions and organizations affiliated with various ministries. His areas of responsibility are as follows:

MINISTRY OF INTERIOR INSTITUTIONS

Provincial Disaster and Emergency Management Directorate

Disaster and Emergency Management Presidency (AFAD)

Ardahan EU and Foreign Relations Bureau

EU Permanent Contact Point

MINISTRY OF NATIONAL DEFENSE INSTITUTIONS

Border Brigade Command operations and procedures

Military Recruitment Office Presidency

MINISTRY OF LABOR AND SOCIAL SECURITY

Provincial Directorate of the Social Security Institution

Provincial Directorate of Labor and Employment Agency (İŞKUR)

MINISTRY OF HEALTH