Even Abdülkadir Selvi reacted to the 'extra' defense! 'If you gather people with money...'

The 'extra' scandal left its mark on the membership participation ceremony held at the CHP İstanbul Provincial Headquarters. 

According to a report by Ebru Çelik from Birgün Newspaper, it was alleged that hundreds of extras from various casting agencies were brought to the membership participation ceremony organized by the Kılıçdaroğlu administration in exchange for 950 liras.

Gürsel Tekin, who was appointed as a trustee, denied the allegation and filed a criminal complaint against Birgün and Sözcü TV.

While the debate over the extras continues, Ömer İne, the owner of Merss Agency, whose name is mentioned in the scandal, made statements on the pro-government channel CNN Türk.

Samet Özkaş, whom İne announced he supported with the words, "As an individual who loves the CHP, I mobilized all the resources of my agency of my own volition to support my friend and companion Samet Özkaş," also participated in the broadcast.

Claiming that those who attended the ceremony were volunteers, İne defended the 950 TL fee as a 'meal allowance for the sake of hospitality'.

Targeting journalist Ebru Çelik, İne described the emergence of the news as a 'provocation'.

Figürancılar, Abdülkadir Selvi'yi bile çileden çıkardı

"Provokasyon varsa sizin yaptığınız provokasyondur. Gazeteci orada haberini yapmış. Siz parayla insan toplarsanız bu, Kılıçdaroğlu'na da CHP'ye de zarar verir"https://t.co/Uy3cglhpw7 pic.twitter.com/1J8zNXQC0g

— BirGün Gazetesi (@BirGun_Gazetesi) July 27, 2026

Upon this, Hürriyet columnist Abdülkadir Selvi, known for his proximity to the government, stated, "Well, excuse me, if there is a provocation against Kılıçdaroğlu and the CHP, it is what you are doing. The journalist did their job there, friends, there is nothing there. I mean, if you gather people with money, this harms both Kılıçdaroğlu and the CHP."

"I SAW THEM TAKING PHOTOS"

Responding to the question from TürkMedya Ankara Representative Melik Yiğitel, "You went there too, didn't you? Didn't you notice the reporter taking photos and taking notes?", Ömer İne made the following statement:

"I saw them taking photos. There was also an issue with the police at the police checkpoint. I said, I asked the officer friend to let them through as they were from our team. Then there were points inside where I became suspicious. Whatever happened, happened after that. In fact, while I was waiting for people to dry off under the rain... to let that tension pass, suddenly that photo is published in a completely unrelated venue and in a move contrary to the KVKK (Personal Data Protection Law), without permission or documentation. My lawyers and the lawyers of the owner of the company we are currently with have already gone to the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office today."

To Yiğitel's question, "The journalist didn't make contact with you, did they?", İne replied, "The journalist continues to try to reach our friend." 

News Source: 12punto