He had called pensioners ungrateful: Statement from MHP Provincial Chair accused of gambling

A photograph of a gambling table shared on social media, allegedly taken at a hotel in Cyprus, has brought MHP Aydın Provincial Chair Haluk Alıcık to the forefront of the agenda. Following the spread of the photo, Alıcık issued both a brief statement and a long written announcement.

“I WENT DOWN TO JOIN MY FRIENDS AT THE HOTEL”

According to a report by Ajans Aydın, Alıcık stated in his initial assessment regarding the photo that he went down to join his friends after they told him they were downstairs at the hotel where he was staying for a program.

Alıcık said, “It is a hotel we went to for a program. When my friends said they were downstairs, I went down too. There are normally other friends of ours in that frame as well. But they cropped it to show only me and shared it. They are attempting character assassination against me. I have nothing to do with gambling.”

“THE PUBLICATIONS ARE BASELESS AND MANIPULATIVE”

Following the spread of the photo, Haluk Alıcık also released a written statement, arguing that the content targeting him and the MHP Aydın Provincial Chairmanship he holds, which appeared on some websites and social media accounts, is detached from reality.

In his statement, Alıcık said, “All of the allegations in these publications are baseless, unfounded, and malicious. The images and texts presented to the public have been taken out of context, manipulated, and some have been served using AI-supported production and montage techniques.”

“THIS IS NOT NEWS, IT IS CHARACTER ASSASSINATION”

In his statement, Alıcık argued that the posts in question did not constitute journalistic activity and used the following expressions:

“Such publications are not journalistic activity. This is not news; it is an assassination of character. The goal is to wear down my person and the institutional will I represent, to make our party a target, and to consciously mislead the public.”

“LEGAL PROCESS HAS BEEN INITIATED”

Haluk Alıcık announced that legal proceedings have been initiated against the publications made regarding himself and the institution he represents. The statement indicated that all legal avenues, including retractions, access blocks, compensation claims, and criminal complaints, will be pursued against the responsible websites and social media accounts.

“ARTIFICIAL CONTENT IS BEING SERVED AS NEWS”

Alıcık stated that content with unknown sources and distorted contexts is being presented to the public as news, adding that this targets not only himself but also journalistic ethics and social peace.

HE HAD ALSO MADE HEADLINES WITH HIS REMARKS ON PENSIONER SALARIES

Haluk Alıcık had also come to the public's attention a week ago with his remarks regarding pension salaries.

In his statement regarding retirees, Alıcık had said, "I am very bothered by this. This nation does not once show gratitude for its situation, and its expectations regarding money are increasing. A lack of gratitude will be the end of this country; that is what I fear."

News Source: 12punto