CHP Mayor Niyazi Nefi Kara resigns: 'They accepted me as guilty'

In a statement on his social media account, Kara said, "My dear fellow citizens of Manavgat, my dear friends, as of today, I have resigned from my ancestral home, the Republican People's Party (CHP)."

"THEY ACCEPTED ME AS GUILTY"

Unfortunately, the party's top management has written me off by "suspending my membership" as part of a discreditation operation carried out against the Republican People's Party through me. I had met this decision with maturity due to the extraordinary developments taking place. However, while cries of the "presumption of innocence" were being made for other imprisoned mayors during the process, it has become impossible for me to continue on this path with a management approach that accepts me as guilty and throws me to the pro-government press, despite there being no court decision (or even an indictment) regarding me.

"MY REACTION IS DIRECTED AT PARTY OFFICIALS"

I am not resentful toward my party or my fellow party members. My reaction is directed at the party officials who have become a focus of balance at the center and local levels and who deemed it worth sacrificing me along this path.

"I WILL CONTINUE TO WALK WITH MY HEAD HELD HIGH"

As Niyazi Nefi Kara, I will be cleared at the end of the trial process and will continue to walk the streets of Manavgat with my head held high. I hope to meet you all again very soon under the same sky. I love you all very much.

HE HAD SAID "CHP IS MY FAMILY"

After being arrested in a 'bribery' investigation in the Manavgat district of Antalya and subsequently suspended from his duties as Mayor of Manavgat, Niyazi Nefi Kara had said regarding the decision to suspend his party membership, "My affiliation with the Republican People's Party began when I was just a little child, by writing 'Ecevit' on walls and drawing the 'six arrows.' The Republican People's Party is my family."

WHAT HAPPENED?

Within the scope of an investigation launched by the Manavgat Chief Public Prosecutor's Office over allegations of bribery related to hotel renovations, construction permits, and occupancy permit applications, 17 suspects, including Manavgat Mayor Niyazi Nefi Kara, deputy mayors, municipal council members, and business people, were arrested, while 18 suspects were released under judicial control conditions.

Here is Niyazi Nefi Kara's resignation statement:

News Source: 12punto