The Ministry of Internal Affairs announced that Kuşadası Mayor Ömer Günel, who was arrested within the scope of the investigation carried out on charges of “bribery”, was suspended from duty.

In the official statement made by the Ministry of Internal Affairs after the arrest decision, it was stated that Ömer Günel was suspended from duty within the framework of constitutional powers. The statement included the following statements:

“Aydın province Kuşadası Mayor Ömer Günel was suspended from office as a temporary measure upon the arrest warrant of the Istanbul 9th ​​Criminal Court of Peace within the scope of the investigation carried out against him for the crime of ‘Taking Bribe’, in accordance with Article 127 of the Constitution and Article 47 of the Municipality Law No. 5393.”

WHAT HAPPENED?

As a result of the evaluation of witness and complainant statements, suspect statements, information and documents in the investigation file, HTS records and account movements examined as a result of the reports prepared by MASAK, it was determined that “bribery” and “extortion” crimes were committed by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office in the investigation related to Kuşadası Municipality.

6 suspects, including Kuşadası Mayor Ömer Günel, Zoning and Urbanization Director Ahmet Taşkan and Building Control Manager Mustafa Burak Gündeş, were detained in the operation held in Aydın, İzmir and Antalya on March 13.

5 of the 6 suspects detained within the scope of the investigation, including Kuşadası Mayor Ömer Günel, were arrested.

‘TAF SUCCESSFULLY FULFILLS ITS DUTIES’

Emphasizing that the instabilities experienced in the nearby geography prove once again how vital it is to constantly improve the army’s capabilities and capabilities and maintain a deterrent military force, Minister Güler said, “In this context, our Turkish Armed Forces are successfully fulfilling the duties they undertake in all areas to ensure the security of our homeland and nation and to resolutely protect the rights and interests of our country. Undoubtedly, what has happened offers us important lessons not only in terms of security but also in terms of military thought, comprehensive planning and strategic preparation. At this point, our Ministry of National Defense, our General Staff “Our headquarters and Force Commands assume a great responsibility. It should not be forgotten that strong armies exist not only at the front, but also with the strategic intelligence, solid planning and high awareness of responsibility produced at the headquarters. Therefore, supporting our troops in the field in the best possible way against all kinds of scenarios with multi-dimensional evaluation ability is one of our most important duties in today’s security environment. I observe that you fulfill your duties in the best way with this awareness, and I wholeheartedly believe that you will continue your work with the same understanding from now on.”

‘OUR LOCAL AND NATIONAL DEFENSE INDUSTRY ADDS STRENGTH TO OUR ARMY’

Minister Güler noted that in addition to having a strong defense capacity in the current critical period, it is equally vital to keep the home front strong and move the local national defense industry to higher levels, and said, “In this context, our defense industry, which we have developed with local and national resources, strengthens the power of our army with high-tech systems and reinforces the strategic independence of our country. We continue our work with increasing enthusiasm and effort, with the awareness that we have more to achieve in this field. The basis of all these efforts is to protect the rights and interests of our country.” “Our determination to protect our lives under all circumstances and our deep loyalty to our beloved martyrs and heroic veterans. The sacred trust they left to us is also the strongest reminder of our responsibilities for the future. As a matter of fact, the Terrorism-Free Turkey goal put forward by our state under the visionary leadership of our President constitutes an important pillar of these works.”

‘OUR STATE’S STANCE IS CLEAR, THERE IS NO HESITATION’

As much as this historical process has made security and peace permanent; Minister Güler underlined that making brotherhood eternal means that children grow up in a country away from the shadow of terrorism, further development and development of the country, and an increase in the welfare of all our citizens, and said, “Our state’s stance on this issue is clear and there is no hesitation. Undoubtedly, if we can live in safety and peace today and carry out this historical process, it is primarily thanks to the unprecedented sacrifices of our martyrs and veterans. I would especially like to point out that no step taken in this process will ever tarnish the cherished memory of our martyrs and our veterans.” Our martyrs and veterans are the honor of this nation; you, our precious families, are the living trusts of this honor. You have never compromised on your dignified stance despite carrying your indescribable pain in your hearts. Therefore, you are the crown of our honor and we are aware that no matter what we do, we can never repay you. “We are making great efforts with all our institutions, especially our Ministry of Family and Social Services, to make your life easier and to be with you in all your needs. We will always continue to stand by you with all our resources, as we have done so far,” he said. After the program, Minister Güler took a souvenir photo with the families of the martyrs and then attended the iftar held for the families of the martyrs.

Minister of Commerce Ömer Bolat came together with the disabled, the elderly, relatives of martyrs and orphans at the “Call to Brotherhood” iftar program organized for the fifth time at Bahçelievler Teachers’ House by the Human Rights and Freedoms (IHH) Humanitarian Aid Foundation, Kindness is Beautiful Platform and Merter Brands Association.

Speaking in the program, Bolat said that Ramadan is the month of patience, sacrifice, solidarity, purification and empathy, being together with people, being able to put oneself in the shoes of others and feel what they feel.

“WE SPEND EVERY PENNY OF THE STATE ON OUR CITIZENS”

Bolat stated that, as the government, under the leadership of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, they have tried to spend every penny of the state for the citizens in economic growth, increase in welfare, production, exports, education, health, environment, culture, art and security in 23 years.

Expressing that they attach importance to social support programs, Bolat said, “Before us, social aid received only a 0.5 percent share of the national income. This year, social aid is allocated to our citizens with a budget of approximately 1 trillion lira.” he said.

Bolat stated that they will always continue to support special children, the elderly, orphans, families of martyrs, and families of veterans and will continue to stand by them.

Stating that special children who cannot leave their homes receive education in rehabilitation centers, Bolat said, “Mothers who have to take care of their children at home now take the minibus sent in the morning with their children and go to school. They also get involved in life, socialize, and participate in production. Many facilities have been opened especially for our elders who want to continue their lives in nursing homes.” he said.

“THE NUMBER OF OUR NURSING HOMES HAS INCREASED TO 175 UNDER STATE PROTECTION”

Minister of Commerce Bolat stated that children are protected and cared for with the “Children are Safe in 81 Provinces” program and said:

“120 thousand of our elders are provided with home care and home health services. We have 1400 boarding institutions affiliated with our Ministry of Family and Social Services. Protection and care services are provided to 14 thousand 600 children. The number of disabled care and rehabilitation centers has increased to 286. 20 years ago, there were 342 schools for the education of private individuals. Currently, we have 1855 schools. 35 thousand teachers work for our children. Families of martyrs and veterans and their children are also under state protection.” In transition to higher education, students are given priority placement in the dormitories of the Ministry of Youth and Sports.

There is a quota for families of martyrs and veterans in public employment. Regarding our elderly, the number of nursing homes under state protection has increased to 175. Day care and rehabilitation centers also increased to 45. “In this context, we will continue to provide all the services needed in the fields of health, care, protection, rehabilitation and social security.”

“Türkiye HAS REACHED IT BY CUTTING ITS OWN PUBLIC”

Minister Kacır stated that they are trying to end these conflicts as soon as possible and said, “It seems that international law has lost its functionality to a large extent. Neither the United Nations, nor the Court of Justice, nor Human Rights institutions have the necessary power to prevent these conflicts or end the wars that have started. We will of course do our part. But especially for the sake of the future, we will always work much harder than before to bring Türkiye to a level of deterrence where no one will dare to harm it.” “We have to, we will work.” made his assessment.

Pointing out that Türkiye has achieved great things in the defense industry in the last 23 years, Kacır said that these were possible with the strong will of President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and that we have come to this day with a strong will.

Kacır said:

“These things have not been achieved with the direct help and support of any other country. Countries that develop most of the advanced technology products and systems in the world, especially in the defense industry, ally with each other, and different countries develop, produce and share some of the subsystems and critical components of each system with each other, ultimately optimizing R&D costs and tending to complete their innovations in the fastest way. Turkey is a unique example here, because unfortunately, many states with which we are in alliance, let alone such collaborations with us in these processes, often make covert and overt efforts to hinder our ongoing work.” they have been.”

Explaining that Türkiye has come to this day by literally cutting its own belly, Kacır said, “Turkey has achieved all these successes with the superhuman efforts and efforts of its own children, day and night, with the sweat of their brows and minds. Today, Turkey is one of the most assertive countries in the world in new generation aviation. It has become the world market leader in unmanned aerial vehicles. Now, thank God, we, Turkey, are developing, producing and producing products with the most advanced capabilities in new generation unmanned aerial vehicles, kamikaze unmanned aerial vehicles.” “Efforts are currently continuing all over the country with a tremendous spirit of mobilization to bring it into the Turkish Armed Forces as quickly as possible.” he said.

Kacır added that despite the major transformations in the world and the sharp changes in commodity prices in recent weeks, the necessary steps have been taken to ensure that the economy is least affected by extraordinary situations, thanks to the measures taken and the climate of trust created.

Minister of Industry and Technology Mehmet Fatih Kacır came to Rize to participate in the celebration program organized for the 20th anniversary of Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University (RTEÜ). Kacır, who also opened the National Technology Workshop established within RTEÜ, was accompanied by Rize Governor İhsan Selim Baydaş, Rize MPs Harun Mertoğlu and Muhammed Avcı, Rize Mayor Rahmi Metin, RTEÜ Foundation President Nusret Bayraktar, Science Dissemination Foundation Board of Trustees Chairman Bilal Erdoğan, as well as interested parties, students and academicians.

“WE ARE 10TH IN THE WORLD”

Kacır, who moved on to the 20th anniversary program after the opening, emphasized Türkiye’s science and technology-based development journey in his speech and said, “We rose from 22nd to 14th place among the countries that produce the most scientific publications in the world. The number of domestic patent applications, which was 414 in 2002, reached 11 thousand 394 last year. We are 10th in the world in domestic patent applications. We are the first in the world in the rate of female inventors. Since 2002. “Since then, we have increased Türkiye’s R&D expenditures from 1.2 billion dollars to 19.9 billion dollars,” he said.

“WE PRODUCE BETTER THINGS LOCALLY AND NATIONALLY”

Continuing his speech, Minister Kacır said, “We are a country that develops and produces its own unmanned aerial vehicles, missiles, ammunition, jet engines, warplanes, helicopters, satellites, radar and electronic warfare systems. Whatever they deny us, we develop and produce better locally and nationally. We have made our nation’s 60-year longing for a domestic and national automobile a reality with our smart and electric car Togg. The research of our Recep Tayyip Erdoğan University, which was established in 2006.” “The capacity to produce science and science is the most concrete indicator that our Anatolian cities add strength to Türkiye’s science and research journey. To date, we have provided approximately 227 million liras of support to 1,029 students and researchers at our university within the scope of TÜBİTAK scholarships. We have provided 423 million liras of support to 162 projects of our university. We have provided 75 million liras of resources to the projects through DOKAP and the Eastern Black Sea Development Agency.”

First Lady Erdoğan met with representatives of the associations and foundations of which she is the honorary president, at Bozdağ Film Plateau. Speaking here, Erdoğan stated that Ramadan is a school that raises souls, and fasting is the best lesson of this holy school.

Man’s spiritual need for fasting is described by Sezai Karakoç, “O fasting, the reviving wind, the spring of Islam/Blow down to the human soul from the great mountain of inspiration/Make it drink kevser, pour out the pure life from your crystal glass/To the thirsty horizons, to the horizons of the human heart.” Noting that he expressed it very well with his verses, Erdoğan prayed that this holy month would be a mercy to the thirsty horizons, heal the tired hearts of the oppressed, and bring goodness to all humanity.

First Lady Erdoğan stated that civilizations have founding values ​​and said:

“One of the pillars on which our civilization is built is ‘kindness.’ Looking for reasons to do good in life, looking at our family, neighbors, friends and humanity from this perspective is the spiritual climate of this land. First of all, our Prophet presented goodness to us as a life purpose. Our Prophet said, ‘O Allah, make living a means of increasing all kinds of goodness for me. Make death a means of salvation for me from all evil.’ His prayer is the clearest evidence of this. That’s why the spirit that establishes a human-oriented civilization and prioritizes human honor and dignity above all else has permeated the stone and soil of this country.”

Stating that their historical remains are the works of kind-spirited people who took care of the needs of not only humans but also all living things, from trees to wolves on the mountains, Erdoğan said, “Imagine that the number of foundations established in the Ottoman Empire has exceeded 26 thousand. These foundations have such a central place in life that all stages of a person’s life, from birth to death, are intertwined with foundations. A person is born in a foundation hospital, grows in a foundation cradle, drinks water from a foundation fountain, “The foundation goes to school, the foundation does business in the bazaar, the foundation worships in the mosque, and when one dies, he is buried in the foundation cemetery. We see that establishing a foundation creates an environment of peace where solidarity turns into a culture of life.” he said.

Erdoğan expressed the surprise of a Frenchman who came to Ottoman lands at the diversity of foundations: “In the Ottoman country, it is even possible to see Turks crazy enough to donate money to workers to water them every day to prevent the unproductive trees from drying out due to the heat.” Noting that he expressed his words, he said:

“You are those crazy Turks. Under the roof of TOGEM-DER, Şule Yüksel Şenler Foundation, African House, Zero Waste Foundation, you are pursuing things for which you do not expect anything in return other than God’s consent. You work day and night, looking for solutions to other people’s problems. You do good deeds that will have social benefits for generations. Opening a library, educating a child, rebuilding life in disaster areas, extending the hand of kindness beyond our borders, taking care of land, water and creatures. “All of these are saplings that will bear fruit of humanity even after we pass away from this world. Such a deep spirituality constitutes the mental infrastructure of our non-governmental organizations. In other words, our NGOs are not a volunteer-based third sector activity in the Western sense, but the modern projections of our civilization.”

“WE DO GOOD, THROW IT INTO THE SEA, AND NEVER LOOK BACK AGAIN”

Stating that the traditional understanding of cooperation has disappeared today, especially in Western societies, Erdoğan continued as follows:

“Young people participate in social responsibility projects to write on their resumes and to get ahead of their competitors in university or job applications. The bond established through these activities often weakens after personal benefit is achieved. In fact, this is literally the commercialization of kindness and cooperation, and just like Cemil Meriç says, ‘If a person who does good expects reward, he is a usurer.’ As he said, it turns into an embarrassing transaction. However, is this the case in our society? “We do good, throw it into the sea, and never look back.”

Erdoğan stated that the unstoppable rise of social media today has extremely weakened the spiritual reflexes of societies.

Emphasizing that people come to believe that they are taking action when they like a call for help, share it on their accounts, or change their profile pictures, Erdoğan stated that the images shared on social media neither feed a hungry stomach nor dress any wounds.

“THE MOST TRAGIC GENOCIDE THAT HAPPENED ON LIVE BROADCAST”

First Lady Erdoğan continued her words as follows:

“What has happened in Gaza in the last 2.5 years has shown us once again that the compassion of the Western world is ideological and discriminatory. If it were not so, the most tragic genocide in human history on live broadcast would not be watched as if we were watching a movie. More than 20 thousand children who died would not be ignored even if they were blonde and blue-eyed. Today, in heavy winter conditions, the earth would move for the children standing barefoot in flooded rag tents, shivering from the cold and dying of cold. Instead, despite all this oppression, the world remains silent. At this point, I think our NGO example should be highlighted more at the international level, because each of your works erases the rust from hearts.

Stating that they would like to see many more young people under the roof of NGOs, Erdoğan said, “I hope we will bring the practices of our tradition of compassion, which is our richest spiritual heritage, to the younger generations.” he said.

Erdoğan stated that Ramadan is almost over and in the holy days, ‘Isn’t there a hand reaching out to me?’ He noted that if they didn’t make anyone feel alone in the crowd and if they made them think that they had a door to knock on if they were in trouble, there was no greater gain than this.

Erdoğan thanked those who contributed to the program and congratulated the Ramadan Feast.

VISIT TO THE FOUNDATION ORHAN SET

First Lady Erdoğan visited the set of the TV series Establishment Orhan on the plateau, which is also open to visitors, and took a souvenir photo with the actors.

During the visit, Erdoğan took the director’s chair on the plateau and then listened to a short performance by artist Arslanbek Sultanbekov and also watched the equestrian dance show there.

During her trip, First Lady Erdoğan was accompanied by Mehmet Bozdağ, the producer of the Establishment Orhan series, and his wife Zeynep Peker Bozdağ.

The program ended with a family photo shoot.

“I THANK THE BOZDAĞ FILM PLATOLARI FAMILY FOR HOSTING US IN AN ATMOSPHERE THAT BRINGS THE SPIRIT OF HISTORY ALIVE”

First Lady Erdoğan included the following statements in her post on her NSosyal account after the program:

“We came together with our valuable companions, with whom we worked together in the civil society journey, at the iftar program at Bozdağ Film Plateaus. On the occasion of this meaningful meeting, I was pleased to visit the set of the Establishment Orhan series and meet the valuable actors and crew. I would like to thank the Bozdağ Film Plateaus family for hosting us sincerely in such a special atmosphere that keeps the spirit of history alive.”

The post also included a video of the moments when First Lady Erdoğan visited the plateau, the shows performed, and the meeting with the representatives of the association and foundation.

We came together with our valuable companions, with whom we worked together in the civil society journey, at the iftar program at Bozdağ Film Plateaus. On the occasion of this meaningful meeting, we were pleased to visit the set of the TV series Establishment Orhan and meet the valuable actors and crew… pic.twitter.com/iQhGKHrh1x

— Emine Erdoğan (@EmineErdogan) March 17, 2026