The Beykoz Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office issued an order to arrest, detain, search and seize 21 municipal employees, including the former Beykoz Mayor Alaattin Köseler, on charges of “tender rigging” and “establishing, membership and aiding an organization to commit a crime”. Mayor Alaattin Köseler and 20 suspects were detained on February 27. Within the scope of the investigation, the number of suspects increased to 26, 13 suspects, including Köseler, were arrested on March 4, and it was decided that 9 suspects would be released under judicial control with an international travel ban. An arrest warrant was issued for the three suspects mentioned in the file.

MAYOR KÖSELER WAS REQUESTED TO BE IMPRISONED FOR UP TO 67 YEARS AND 3 MONTHS

In the 402-page report prepared against 26 suspects, including Beykoz Mayor Alaattin Köseler, 78 goods and service procurement tenders were scrutinized and the founder of the corruption organization of Mayor Alaattin Köseler, who was suspended from office, his private secretary Veli Gümüş and his private secretary Metin Ülgey were evaluated as managers. Mayor Köseler was requested to be imprisoned for up to 67 years and 3 months for the crimes of “establishing an organization to commit a crime”, “sequentially rigging the tender through fraudulent behavior”, “chained qualified fraud” and “chainly forging official documents”.

IN THE FIRST SEARCH, ALL ARRESTED DEFENDANTS WERE RELEASED

Following the summary sent to the Anatolian Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office by the Beykoz Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, the court accepted the indictment in the public case filed with the Istanbul Anatolian 17th High Criminal Court. The trial of 26 defendants, including Mayor Köseler, started in September last year. During the hearing, which lasted 3 days in total, the public prosecutor requested the continuation of the detention of the defendants Alaattin Köseler, Veli Gümüş, Serdar Karahan, Havva Dindar and Uğur İnci, and the arrest of the defendant Yıldız Güneş, who was not detained. The prosecutor requested the release of the defendants Metin Ülgey, Fidan Gül, Mustafa Karadağ, Onur Demirci, Yusuf Karaaslan, Mahmut Adalı and Tamer Çapraz, taking into account the time they spent in detention. Announcing its interim decision, the court decided to release 13 detained defendants, including Alaattin Köseler, Veli Gümüş, Serdar Karahan, Havva Dindar, Metin Ülgey, Fidan Gül.

HE WAS ARRESTED AGAIN AFTER RELEASE

Public prosecutor objected to the release of Veli Gümüş, Serdar Karahan, Havva Dindar and Uğur İnci, including Alaattin Köseler, and requested their arrest. The objection evaluated by the Istanbul Anatolian 18th High Criminal Court was accepted and an arrest warrant was issued for the re-arrest of Alaattin Köseler, Veli Gümüş, Serdar Karahan, Havva Dindar and Uğur İnci. Köseler was taken into custody and arrested again.

THEY CAME BEFORE THE JUDGE AGAIN FOR THE SECOND TIME

While the detained defendants, former Beykoz Mayor Alaattin Köseler, Veli Gümüş, Havva Dindar, were brought to the hearing at the Istanbul Anatolian 17th High Criminal Court from the prison they were in, the unarrested defendants, Ahmet Furkan Özten, Gülten Tozanlı, Hasan Uysal, Metin Ülgey, Fidan Gül, Tamer Çapraz, Yusuf Karaaslan, Yıldız Güneş and lawyers also took their place in the hall.

The Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change imposed an administrative fine of 2 million 98 thousand liras on the Ankara Metropolitan Municipality Water and Sewerage Administration (ASKİ) General Directorate due to the pollution detected in the Gerede Işıklı Regulator Basin, one of Ankara’s drinking water resources. The Ministry also filed a criminal complaint to initiate legal action against those responsible.

While the inspection reports revealed that untreated wastewater overflows occurred in a basin that directly affects Ankara’s drinking water, the incident also brought about public discussions of “infrastructure neglect” and “control weakness”.

INSPECTION WAS MADE IN BOLU, POLLUTION WAS DETECTED IN THE BASIN

According to the Ministry’s statement, during the field inspections carried out by the Bolu Provincial Directorate of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change teams, it was determined that overflows occurred in the collector line of Gerede Wastewater Treatment Plant affiliated with ASKİ.

The statement included the following statements:

“During the inspections carried out by our Ministry teams, it was determined that the overflows on the wastewater collector line of ASKİ Gerede Wastewater Treatment Plant were mixed into the Gerede Işıklı Regulator Basin, which provides drinking water to Ankara.

“Within the scope of the Environmental Law, an administrative penalty of 2 million 98 thousand TL was imposed on ASKİ General Directorate, and a criminal complaint was filed against those responsible to the Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office.”

During the inspections, it was reported that untreated wastewater was directly mixed into the drinking water basin.

OVERFLOW AT THREE DIFFERENT POINTS

During the investigations, it was determined that overflows occurred in Yazıkara Village, Üçpınar Village and Ümitköy locations on the collector line. While experts remind that drinking water basins are the areas that need to be protected most strictly, they point out that overflows pose a serious environmental risk.

Despite the clear provisions of the legislation on the protection of drinking water resources, the fact that wastewater was mixed into the basin brought into question the adequacy of infrastructure maintenance and control processes.

Breaking news…. The process of Türkiye without terrorism is progressing with determination. Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Numan Kurtulmuş, chaired the “National Solidarity, Fraternity and Democracy Commission” meeting. The commission report was announced by the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Numan Kurtulmuş.

The report prepared by the National Solidarity, Fraternity and Democracy Commission, established in the Turkish Grand National Assembly in line with the goal of “Terrorism-Free Türkiye”, was accepted by the majority of votes in the Commission.

AK Party, CHP, MHP, DEM Party, Yeni Yol voted ‘Yes’. TİP and EMEP voted ‘No’. For the report; It was stated that 47 votes were accepted, 2 rejected and 1 abstained.

Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey, Numan Kurtulmuş, said, “While the report reveals the outlines of the approach that stays away from topics that will create a perception of amnesty, focuses on the principle of certainty of the legal order and takes into account the sensitivity of the public conscience, it points out that when the democratic will that protects the state mind and the nation’s conscience takes action in the same integrity, it establishes a permanent basis for social peace.”

The National Solidarity, Fraternity and Democracy Commission, established in the Turkish Grand National Assembly within the scope of the ‘Terror-free Türkiye’ target, convened under the chairmanship of the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Numan Kurtulmuş. Speaking at the opening of the commission meeting, Kurtulmuş said, “We are holding this meeting to discuss the report, which we have prepared for a long time with great care, attention and democratic maturity, both with the commission members and to share it with the Turkish public. The commission report consists of 7 chapters. In the 1st chapter, titled Commission studies, the process related to the work of the commission is explained. In the 2nd chapter, our discussions on the main objectives of the commission are emphasized. The 3rd chapter includes the historical roots of the Turkish-Kurdish brotherhood and the law of brotherhood. The 4th section includes the discourses of the people listened to in the commission and the areas of agreement that emerged in these speeches based on their analysis, the 5th section includes the PKK’s dissolution and disarmament process, the 6th section includes suggestions for legal regulations regarding the process, and the 7th section includes suggestions regarding democratization. In addition, 5 additions were made to this main report, one of which is the members of the National Solidarity, Fraternity and Democracy Commission. “It includes the procedures and principles, sharing with the public the website links of digital copies of the reports submitted by the political parties in the commission, summaries of the meetings, and the list of institutions and organizations listened to,” he said.

‘WE ARE GOING THROUGH A HISTORICAL PERIOD’

Stating that the commission’s work is carried out within the representative power and legitimacy of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Numan Kurtulmuş said, “It is a reflection of the historical responsibility for strengthening social peace, unity and national solidarity. The problems that our people have faced for many years, paying a heavy price, gain a permanent solution horizon when addressed with the law-making and supervisory nature of the Gazi Parliament. Today, we are going through a historical period on the issue of terrorism. In this process, the Gazi Parliament, which is the manifestation of the national will, unhesitatingly fulfills its duty.” Terrorist acts, which have consumed our country’s energy and resources for decades and for which we have paid a heavy price, have narrowed the development horizon, damaged social ties, and confined politics to security reflexes. With the end of the Cold War, terrorist organizations have increasingly been used as tools of division and disintegration and proxy wars in our region, and social fault lines have been consciously deepened by turning our geography into a tool for global calculations a century ago. “To prevent those who try to divide us from pursuing the same goal again, completely eliminating terrorism and ensuring an environment of lasting peace and tranquility stands before us as a historical responsibility,” he said.

Breaking News: Terror-free Türkiye report has been completed! Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly Kurtulmuş: “Ending terrorism is a historical responsibility!” | Video

‘DEMOCRATIC CAPACITY NEEDS TO BE STRENGTHENED’

Stating that the instability, injustice and democratization problems in the region are the results of imperial interventions and deep scars, Kurtulmuş said, “Our answer to these interventions is more brotherhood and integration. Turkey will continue to be the pioneer of integrative policies in our region, contrary to the global imperial powers. In an environment where the balance of power is changing and geopolitical risks are increasing, ensuring permanent peace and stability in the region by fortifying our country’s inner castle opens up new possibilities and opportunities for both its own security and the regional order. The alliance that Turks, Kurds and Arabs will form with other brotherly peoples living in the region will usher in a period that will disrupt the disintegration and fragmentation scenarios planned by the imperialists in the region and neutralize their plans. Our nation will stop disintegration and disintegration, and has a stronger will for unity, brotherhood and integration than defeatist ambitions. A permanent solution to the terrorism issue in Türkiye necessitates multi-dimensional, multi-faceted, multi-layered policies that are not limited only to the security dimension, and requires political legitimacy, social acceptance and democratic capacity at the same time. “It requires strengthening,” he said.

‘REMOVING TERROROR FROM OUR COUNTRY’S AGENDA IS A HISTORICAL RESPONSIBILITY FOR EACH OF US.’

Stating that the global system has collapsed and we have entered a period in which the powerful impose their ideas instead of a rule-based international system, Numan Kurtulmuş said: “In such a period, it is necessary to evaluate the sovereignty, security and social integrity of the states in terms of their ability to keep their sovereignty, security and social integrity at the same time and in line with their will. Unfortunately, the most worn-out area of the global system in every crisis is human dignity and the rule of law, while every structure that weakens its power to ensure justice creates new vulnerabilities in society instead of hope. Identity-based fault lines in our immediate environment and region. Keeping our country alive and expanding conflict areas impose multifaceted responsibilities on our country. While strengthening our national solidarity, increasing prosperity and strengthening the sense of justice in our region, we strongly support every word and every step that fosters brotherhood, well-being and social peace in our country. This issue will be approached with a prudent perspective, sincere approach and determined steps, not with rote patterns that deepen differences. “With its nature, it can never be the subject of narrow political interests or risk calculations. Establishing permanent tranquility on solid foundations requires unity that simultaneously strengthens the practice of the rule of law, the morality of democratic politics and the will of national solidarity. It is a historical responsibility for each of us to remove terrorism from our country’s agenda.”

‘THE REPORT IS AWAY FROM TITLES THAT WILL CREATE A PERCEPTION OF AMNESTY’

Kurtulmuş stated that the commission respectfully embraces the pain experienced in the past and that the commission is addressing the issue with common sense. Then, Numan Kurtulmuş said, “The approach put forward by the Commission aims to determine the principles that will guide the administrative and legal regulations that are considered to be put into effect together with the dissolution of the organizational structure and reliable confirmation of disarmament, to ensure predictability in detection and follow-up mechanisms, and to design the steps for harmonization with society within a framework that preserves the balance of freedom and security. While the report outlines the approach that avoids headlines that will create the perception of amnesty, centers on the principle of certainty of the legal order and takes into account the sensitivity of the public conscience, the state reason “The goal of ‘Terror-free Turkey’ opens up to the vision of a terror-free region with a broader horizon; every step that strengthens internal peace increases Türkiye’s power in the pursuit of regional and global justice. The duty of our Assembly is to establish the law of common life, to add the voice of differences to the voice of the common future, to strengthen the democratic structure in which every citizen feels equal, safe and respected, and to expand the horizon of freedom.” he said.

‘OUR COMMISSION REPORT IS THE COINSTONE OF THE STEPS TAKEN AND TO BE TAKEN’

Emphasizing that the commission’s will to end terrorist acts and climate of violence that harm social peace and tranquility was compiled into a report, Kurtulmuş said: “The introduction of the report and the evaluations aim to present a conceptual framework, to reveal the common understanding formed throughout the commission’s work, and to record the principles and objectives of the commission’s work, which we believe will be defined as the ‘Turkey Model’ in the international literature on conflict resolution, within a political text discipline. Thanks to our transparent and open approach, the commission meetings were followed with interest by the public; The developments regarding the work have been widely covered in the media and the process has progressed openly to the scrutiny of the nation. Our work cannot be considered as a limited and completed process. The prudent, comprehensive and solution-oriented approach of our Commission has presented a solid framework for the strong, effective and peaceful Turkey of tomorrow. The report prepared meticulously by our Commission is a valuable reference text that sets the direction for the next steps and guides us in line with common goals. “It is the cornerstone of the determined steps that have been taken and will be taken. Although the issue of preparing a new constitution is not within the scope of duty of our commission, it stands before us as a common duty and responsibility that must be fulfilled without delay for our country. As a result of the studies of the commission, it is obvious that there is a need for a new constitution that is more democratic, civil, liberal, participatory and inclusive, as stated by our political parties in the reports they have previously shared with the public on various occasions, in addition to the regulations and suggestions mentioned in the report.”

WHAT ARE THE SECTION TITLES OF THE REPORT?

The report includes: ‘Commission Studies’, ‘Main Goals of the Commission’, ‘Historical Roots of the Turkish-Kurdish Brotherhood and Brotherhood Law’, ‘Areas of Consensus of the People Heard in the Commission’, ‘PKK’s Dissolution of Itself and Disarmament’, ‘Recommendations for Legal Regulation Regarding the Process’, ‘Recommendations for Democratization’

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan made important statements to members of the press on the plane returning from his visit to Ethiopia and answered questions about the agenda.

Evaluating his visit to Ethiopia after 11 years, President Erdoğan used the following statements:

“WE MENTIONED THE OPPORTUNITIES FOR INCREASING TURKISH INVESTMENTS”

“Dear members of the press, dear friends; We have completed our one-day visit to Addis Ababa, upon the invitation of the Prime Minister of Ethiopia, Mr. Abiy Ahmed. I was very pleased to visit Ethiopia, one of the leading states of Africa, after an interval of approximately 11 years. First of all, I would like to thank the Prime Minister and the Ethiopian authorities for their warm welcome and hospitality. In our meetings, we discussed trade, investments, defense industry, especially energy, transportation and many other topics. We discussed the necessary steps to reach our target of 1 billion dollars of trade volume. We signed documents in the fields of economy and energy. As you know, Ethiopia is an important connection center for flights in Africa. We, as Turkey, think that they can contribute to this project. Ethiopia is the largest country in the region with a deep-rooted state tradition and a population of 130 million. Addis Ababa, which hosts the United Nations organizations, including the United Nations, is called the diplomatic capital of the African continent. The opening of our oldest embassy in Sub-Saharan Africa in Addis Ababa shows that our Republic has placed this ancient city at the heart of our relations with the African continent. Just before our visit, they hosted an extremely important meeting such as the African Union Summit. The Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change will be held in Addis Ababa again next year. Hopefully, we will share our experiences with our Ethiopian brothers at the Conference of the Parties that we will hold in November. Therefore, if we want to evaluate the potential in Africa, one of the ways to do this is undoubtedly through Ethiopia. As you will remember from the Ankara Process, we have strengthened the trust between Ethiopia and Somalia with the Ankara Declaration adopted in December 2024. We have accomplished good things together, and hopefully we will do so in the future.

“I HOPE OUR CONTACTS WILL CONTRIBUTE TO THE PEACE AND STABILITY OF THE ENTIRE REGION”

Dear friends; We also see our visit to Addis Ababa as a manifestation of our partnership policy towards the African continent. We shared this approach with the President of the African Union Commission, Mahmut Ali Yusuf, today. We talked to him about the issues related to the continent and our 4th Türkiye-Africa Partnership Summit, which we will organize in the coming period with the contribution of the organization. Finally, I would like to say this. It was also meaningful to visit the hometown of King Negus on the eve of Ramadan. On this occasion, I am also happy to personally convey my congratulations to our Ethiopian Muslim brothers. “I believe that we will get the beneficial results of our visit to Ethiopia as soon as possible, and I hope that our contacts today will contribute to the peace and stability of the entire region.”

President Erdoğan’s answers to journalists’ questions are as follows:

“OUR WORDS AND OUR VOICE ARE NOW MUCH STRONGER”

We see that Türkiye has been struggling seriously for years, both at the table and in the field, for the peace and integrity of many countries in Africa, as well as in the Middle East. Is Türkiye capable of establishing this in both Africa and the Middle East? Are there any other countries that support Türkiye in this fight?

As a nation, we have never been colonialists at any time in our history. We saw the people in Africa as our brothers and friends. This spotless record of ours is the basis of why all eyes are turning to our country on the continent today. Mutual respect and equal partnership are the basis, the compass, the immutable principle of our African policy. We did not and do not look at the issues in Africa from a self-interested or partisan perspective. This perspective towards our country is also effective in the success of our humanitarian diplomacy and peace diplomacy steps. We know that peace will be established not with words, but with will, and we take steps accordingly. Is Türkiye capable of establishing such peace? He is able, God willing, no one should doubt that. Thank goodness we are not alone. Both our words and our voices are much stronger now.

Africa was a geography that was neglected for many years. During your period, embassies were opened in Africa, there are serious investments and services. What is your goal in this African policy?

We strive to improve our relations with Africa and further our cooperation in all areas, especially trade and investments. As you know, we increased the number of embassies on the continent to 44. When we took over the power, this number was 12. The embassies of 38 African countries are currently operating in Ankara. Turkish contractors have undertaken more than 2 thousand projects in Africa with a total value of 100 billion dollars. The market value of our investments across the continent exceeded 15 billion dollars. In 2025, our foreign trade volume with the continent will increase by 10 percent, approaching 35 billion dollars. Tens of thousands of students from different corners of the continent are currently studying at Turkish universities. Türkiye graduates take on active roles in every field from politics to business, from academia to civil society in many African countries.

“Hopefully the TERRORIST PROBLEM WILL BE REMOVED FROM OUR AGENDA FOREVER”

The compromise reached between the so-called “SDF” and the Syrian administration shows that an important handicap has been overcome in the “Terror-Free Türkiye” process. The commission phase has been completed. It seems that now there are legal regulations and practices that will involve the Ministry of Justice and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. Can we say that the process will accelerate from now on? What will Türkiye see next?

We are moving towards our goal of a “Terror-free Türkiye” with careful yet determined, cautious yet firm steps. We set out to do a good job and hopefully we will achieve it. This strong will in our country has now spread to Syria. There are pleasing developments that support our ideal of a terror-free zone. This also makes us happy. We follow the steps regarding full integration, moment by moment. We make the necessary suggestions for the implementation of the agreement. Syrian President Ahmed Shara continues his journey in Syria with truly confident steps. I have also often emphasized that the fight against terrorism is not just a matter of security. We also constantly address the legal and social dimensions of the issue. Right now, we are keeping this job very tight, both with our Speaker of the Parliament and with our friends in the commission. Alhamdulillah, we are walking on this path with patience, wisdom and determination. At the end of this path, I hope the terrorism problem that has harmed our country for years will be removed from our agenda forever.

“As Türkiye, WE CONDUCTED TO ALL OUR INTERVIEWS THAT WE ARE OPPOSED TO MILITARY INTERVENTION AGAINST IRAN”

We know about Türkiye’s mediation efforts regarding Iran. You also maintain intense contacts. Our esteemed Minister of Foreign Affairs is the same way… There were some meetings in Geneva today. I guess you followed the explanations that came out of there. Do you think the Iran issue is closer to war or peace? How do you see the latest situation?

We want the problems between Iran and the USA to be resolved through dialogue. We are in contact with both countries at the highest level. Both countries are at this point. That’s the last time I met with the President of Iran. The very next day, I also had my meeting with US President Trump. In all these meetings, we talked about how we could proceed. We are a country that builds bridges and paves the way for peace, not a country that builds walls or fuels conflicts. A new war targeting Iran will not gain anything for anyone, on the contrary, our region will lose. We continue to be on the side of peace and approach the issue with positive wishes. As Türkiye, we conveyed to all our interlocutors that we are against military intervention against Iran. We will continue to explain that such a military escalation and rising tension will drag our region into further uncertainty. As long as the door of diplomacy is open, there is hope. We will protect and strengthen this hope.

SABAH had revealed a big scandal before the rally called “We Stand Up to the Will of the Nation, We Do Not Give Our Olives, Air, Water, and Land”, held by CHP Chairman Özgür Özel on February 15, in the Milas district of Muğla, in order to protect the so-called olive trees. It was revealed that CHP Milas District Chairman Ahmet Kılbey cut down 27 olive trees, each of which was at least 100 years old, on a land in the district. In the footage, it was seen that centuries-old olive trees were being slaughtered with construction equipment.

HE MURDERED THE OLIVES, HE RESIGNED

It was revealed that 27 olive trees, each of which were at least 100 years old, were slaughtered on February 12, on a 3-decare land, which was an olive field, located in Dipsarnıç, Menteş District, Milas. After Muğla Provincial Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry and Milas District Directorate of Agriculture and Forestry teams kept a report, it was determined that the land in question belonged to CHP Milas District Chairman Ahmet Kılbey. While Kılbey said that he transferred the land to his son-in-law Cenk Soydan on December 29, 2025, on February 13, Kılbey was fined 49 thousand 15 TL for removing 27 olive trees on the property, which is an olive field, without permission. It was claimed that Kılbey intended to build on the land. After the scandal emerged, CHP Milas District Chairman Ahmet Kılbey resigned from his post yesterday, before Özgür Özel’s rally. In the statement made by CHP Muğla Provincial Directorate, it was stated that “Our party’s vision and strong stance in the locality is an unshakable whole that is always above personal opinions. In this regard, our Milas District Chairman resigned from his post in order to prevent any damage to our determined march under the leadership of our Chairman and the disciplined stance of our organization in the light of recent developments.”

HIS SON-IN-LAW WAS ALSO DISMISSED

After SABAH revealed the scandal, an important development took place in Milas Municipality. Milas Municipality License and Inspection Manager Cenk Soydan, Kılbey’s son-in-law, was dismissed after discussions about olive trees. It was learned that Soydan was assigned to the Technical Affairs unit within the municipality.

THE GROOM’S FAMILY RESIGNED FROM CHP

Cenk Soydan’s retired parents rebelled against his dismissal. Making a statement on the social media account named Cengiz Betül Soydan, Soydan’s mother, Betül Soydan, called out to Özgür Özel and demanded the cancellation of his CHP membership.

The family used the following statements in their statement: “This is my announcement to the Republican People’s Party and all political parties, to the People of Milas. My dear leader, I am writing to you from Muğla Milas to express my grievance. I appreciate you very much. Your personality and humanity are proven by the appreciation of the Turkish people. As you know, I would like to express my grievance regarding the olive cutting incident, which you became aware of when you came to Milas for a rally on Sunday. I am the father of Cenk Soydan, who works in Milas Municipality.” I am his mother and I am also a member of the party based on a very old history. My wife, Pharmacist Cengiz Soydan, and my son, Ahmet Kılbey, have been serving in the TC Milas Municipality since 2010 with their honesty, humanity and meticulousness towards their work, but they have become part of the conspiracy with the immaturity that they do not deserve. I would also like you to ask the whole municipality about Cenk Soydan. What kind of personality is he? I want you to investigate. My son Cenk Soydan has been dismissed from his position as a director, we don’t care about his fame and position. Our grievance is that the son of a father who has 24 carats of gold bullion is made into 8 carats, making headlines everywhere and damaging our honor and pride. You can ask anyone. He is the son of Pharmacist Cengiz Soydan, the grandson of retired teacher Mehmet Emin Soydan from Çamköy. We are a family that wants to be remembered, but this disgrace has worn out the family so much. Although we love you very much, my wife and I request the cancellation of our membership from Cengiz Betül Soydan’s CHP People’s Party, as it is not something we can accept. I will send my application to the headquarters. If you know Cenk Soydan, you will agree with me, my son was victimized by the media. “I send my love to you. May God bless you and may your path always be bright,” he said.