Silent tension at Hacı Bektaş event: DEM's Hatimoğulları leaves her seat, Sabahat Akkiraz makes a statement

The 63rd National and 37th International Hacı Bektaş Veli Commemoration Ceremonies and Culture and Arts Events were held in the Hacıbektaş district of Nevşehir.

During the program, which was also attended by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel and DEM Party Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları, the events that took place while Sabahat Akkiraz was on stage drew attention.

DEM PARTY CO-CHAIR DID NOT LISTEN TO SABAHAT AKKIRAZ

It has emerged that DEM Party Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları protested artist Sabahat Akkiraz at the Hacı Bektaş Veli Commemoration Ceremonies.

Hatimoğulları was not in her seat in the protocol section during the time Sabahat Akkiraz was on stage at the ceremony… pic.twitter.com/5z1GnCv730

— MOD (@HaberMOD) August 17, 2026

HATİMOĞULLARI LEFT HER SEAT IN THE PROTOCOL

Former CHP deputy and Turkish folk music artist Sabahat Akkiraz also took the stage as part of the event program. During Akkiraz's performance, DEM Party Co-Chair Tülay Hatimoğulları was not in the seat reserved for her in the protocol section.

The fact that Hatimoğulları returned to her seat in the protocol after Akkiraz completed her performance and left the stage was interpreted by the audience and the public as a protest against Akkiraz.

STRIKING STATEMENT FROM AKKIRAZ

Following the incident, Sabahat Akkiraz made a statement regarding the matter on her social media account.

In her post, Akkiraz stated, "I determined my own stage time at the Hacıbektaş commemoration events. I had it changed to an earlier time than I was originally scheduled to perform due to a 'known reason.' My deyiş (hymns) are not for everyone."

SHE HAD REACTED BEFORE

Sabahat Akkiraz had previously criticized the "Terror-free Turkey" process in her statements. Akkiraz had also reacted to Tülay Hatimoğulları being hosted on Halk TV.

News Source: 12punto