Özgür Özel responds to claims of reaching an agreement with Akın Gürlek

Speaking to Tele2, CHP Chairman Özgür Özel spoke for the first time regarding the allegations made against him by journalist Serdar Akinan. Özel denied the claims that he had reached a deal with Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek.

Özgür Özel recalled that before her passing, Gülşah Durbay had announced to the public that she would reveal important documents regarding Akın Gürlek. Stating that he had canceled all his programs following Durbay's passing, Özel noted that these allegations were brought to the agenda during this process.

THE CLAIM OF "REACHING A DEAL WITH AKIN GÜRLEK"

Recalling that after the program cancellations, Serdar Akinan claimed that Özgür Özel had reached a deal with Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor Akın Gürlek, Özel reacted sharply to these allegations.

CRIMINAL COMPLAINT FROM CHP

Özel announced that the CHP Legal Unit had filed a criminal complaint against Akın Gürlek in recent days. He stated that documents regarding the allegations of misconduct leveled against Gürlek had been submitted to the Ankara Chief Public Prosecutor's Office.

In his assessment of the allegations, Özel used the following expressions:

"A tradition of operational journalism has begun to take root in some places. Those sites that publish such news should be read carefully. Ekrem Bey came here on the 23rd of March, and I came on the 24th. Since that day, there have been times when we could not come here if there was a death. Akın Gürlek is filing numerous compensation lawsuits against me, and summaries of proceedings are being prepared. Despite this, those who say 'Özgür Özel reached a deal with Akın Gürlek' have now disgraced themselves."

DOCUMENTS SUBMITTED TO THE PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE

Addressing the linking of rally cancellations to the allegations, Özel stated that all documents on behalf of the CHP had been submitted to the Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. "I had all the documents given to the prosecutor on Thursday," said Özel, adding that the allegations were brought to the agenda deliberately.

In his statement, Özel also touched upon the infighting he claims is taking place within the Justice and Development Party (AK Party). He stated that different groups within the party are sending various documents about each other to different places.

"CHP WILL NOT BE ANYONE'S APPARATUS"

Clarifying the process of evaluating the documents that reached the CHP, Özel said, "We will not become a part of the power struggles within the AK Party." He emphasized that the authenticity of the documents is being meticulously examined.

Stating that allegations were made against him despite his presence at Gülşah Durbay's funeral, Özel explained that the rally was canceled for this reason, and the documents were submitted to the prosecutor's office the following day.