Arif Kocabıyık's first statement following the decision to suspend his membership

Arif Kocabıyık, who recently shared a photo of himself with CHP Chairman Özgür Özel as he was being pinned with the party badge and announced he had joined the CHP, had faced intense criticism over his past social media posts that resurfaced.

Following the growing backlash, the CHP announced that the process of Kocabıyık's joining the party had been halted.

Following these developments, Arif Kocabıyık made the following statement via his social media account:

*Public Statement*

Today, I learned that my Republican People's Party (CHP) membership has been suspended.

I understand the decision taken and the public reaction that has emerged.

Many, many years ago, under the influence of my youth and the social environment I was in, I used an expression that should absolutely never have been said.

This was a very sad and unfortunate mistake.

I sincerely apologize once again to everyone I have hurt and offended, especially our Armenian citizens.

I have never had, and will never have, a perspective that targets or demeans any community.

As İlave TV, I have traveled to all 81 provinces of Turkey dozens of times to this day.

I have spoken with everyone—Turks, Kurds, Armenians, Laz—everyone.

Without any discrimination, I have extended my microphone to everyone I have lived with in these lands, and I will continue to do so.

My goal is to make the voice of every single individual in this country heard, to make their troubles visible, and to contribute to the search for solutions.

Commitment to this Republic, which was entrusted to us by our Republic's founder Mustafa Kemal Atatürk, and to his principles and goals, is not and should not be limited to party membership.

Even if I am not a member of the Republican People's Party, I will continue to work by upholding these values.

On this path, I will continue to be in the field as a volunteer soldier of the Republican People's Party, to oppose, to be the voice of the people, and to make their voices heard.

Independent of political identities, I will continue to work by upholding the common values of this country.

Without dividing, without marginalizing, for everyone...

My microphone will again be with the people.

And I will continue to make that voice heard.

*Arif Kocabıyık*

İlave TV

*Public Statement*

Today, I learned that my Republican People's Party membership has been suspended.
I understand the decision taken and the public reaction that has emerged.

Many, many years ago, under the influence of my youth and the social environment I was in, an expression that should absolutely never have been said...

— Arif Kocabıyık ????????? (@ilavetvAntalya) April 30, 2026

News Source: 12punto