CHP Mayor Yılmaz to Join AKP After Bid-Rigging Investigation Was Opened Against Him

After it became clear that Aydın Metropolitan Mayor Özlem Çerçioğlu would be joining the AKP, CHP leader Özgür Özel made a striking assessment, alleging that the threat of 'prison' lay behind the defection.

Özel spoke to the press following his visit to Marmara Prison in Silivri, confirming that Çerçioğlu would be crossing over to the AKP.

CHP leader Özgür Özel made a striking allegation regarding the defection, saying:

"They went to Çerçioğlu and told her: 'Either join my party or go to jail.' That's all there is to it."

A STRIKING ALLEGATION FROM SAYMAZ AS WELL

Following Özgür Özel's allegation of a prison threat, a similar report came from journalist İsmail Saymaz. Saymaz made the following statements regarding Şehitkamil Mayor Umut Yılmaz, one of the names set to join the AKP:

"One of those who will be joining the AK Party is Şehitkamil Mayor Umut Yılmaz, who was elected on the CHP ticket.

On January 20, an investigation was opened against Yılmaz and 14 others on allegations of bid-rigging.

Yılmaz left the CHP on April 8.

On May 23, Yılmaz was issued a non-prosecution decision.

Yılmaz is joining the AK Party tomorrow."

AK Parti'ye katılacaklardan biri de CHP'den seçilen Şehitkamil Belediye Başkanı Umut Yılmaz.
20 Ocak'ta ihaleye fesat iddiasıyla Yılmaz ve 14 kişiye soruşturma açıldı.
Yılmaz, 8 Nisan'da CHP'den ayrıldı.
23 Mayıs'ta Yılmaz'a takipsizlik verildi.
Yılmaz, yarın AK Parti'ye geçiyor

— İsmail Saymaz (@ismailsaymaz) August 13, 2025

News Source: 12punto