Melih Gökçek targets journalists in chewing gum controversy: 'They should watch their comments'

The controversy over chewing gum continues following the testimony of former AKP Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Melih Gökçek as a suspect in an investigation into allegations that his family laundered money to Germany.

Gökçek, who previously made headlines for chewing gum to protest then-French President Nicolas Sarkozy, reacted to the comments made regarding footage of him chewing gum at the courthouse entrance.

Gökçek targeted certain journalists, stating that the product in question was a chewing tablet he uses due to diabetes.

GÖKÇEK TO JOURNALISTS: "THEY SHOULD WATCH THEIR COMMENTS"

In a statement made after his testimony, Gökçek, who said, "I am also a journalist," targeted the media members who commented on him.

In a statement on his social media account, Gökçek noted that he was using a chewing tablet to prevent dry mouth while passing through the journalists in front of the courthouse. He stated that he had announced to the public that he uses the product due to diabetes through a post made by his son, Osman Gökçek.

Gökçek argued that some media outlets portrayed his use of the product as a challenge to justice and used the following expressions:

"My son, Osman Gökçek, shared with the public via the tweet below that the chewing tablet I used to prevent dry mouth while passing through the journalists in front of the courthouse is something I use due to my diabetes.

However, the opposition media continues to insistently try to convince the public that this was a challenge...

I have stated my respect for justice many times in this incident... It is not anyone's place to challenge justice...

Moreover, the chewing tablet incident ended the moment I stepped into the courthouse. And I threw the tablet into the trash can at the entrance... Everyone, including the police at the entrance, is a witness to this...

I am warning the media members who make comments without knowing their place... They should watch their comments."