Faruk Özlü, who is serving as the mayor of Düzce for the second term, evaluated his striking observations about the developments in the world to the press members.

Özlü, who exemplified the latest developments in domestic politics within the framework of parliamentary and ministerial identities, stated that politics should now move away from the classical understanding; He added that the work should be continued through projects that are put forward, implemented and serve the national interest.

Our esteemed President recently warned that statesmen, governors and district governors should act with state seriousness, especially on social media. There is actually a message here for mayors who move away from seriousness for interaction. How do you evaluate this warning?

Our President is very right. We underlined this issue in our meeting about a month before our President expressed this statement. We talked about how anything that is not real will not be true. We don’t do anything to get interaction, unfortunately some people are obsessed with social media. Some of our friends’ posts are so funny that it is obvious that they are fictional…

“WHY DO GOVERNORS ADVERTISE ON SOCIAL MEDIA? I DON’T UNDERSTAND AT ALL”

Look, some governors advertise their posts on social media. What about dear governors, what do you do with social media advertising? Who appoints the governor? Minister of Internal Affairs and our President. They are the ones who should appreciate you. The people do not elect you. You don’t have to worry about choosing. Recently, the use of social media has evolved to a very different point. It seems like some Governors are trying to take on the role of politicians through social media.

“I DON’T WANT ANYTHING THAT IS NOT REAL”

Inauthentic media communication and sharing are things that seem very contrary to me. I also tell my team; Let’s not do anything that is not authentic, let’s share what we do. We have to do what suits us. You should never engage in fake work. I have been in politics for 10 years. I used to not be able to tell which news was real and which was advertising, but now I can understand. I am not a classical politician, technically I would like to come to the fore with my work. I maintain my dignity by doing my own job. There is a Governor in the city, there are two special provincial administrations, there are parties, I do not interfere with anyone. I don’t interfere at all, but when there is something I need to express my opinion on, I speak my mind. Thank God, they also value it. Because they know that if I intervene, it means there is a really important issue.

“Türkiye SHOULD MAKE ANOTHER LEAP”

Türkiye has solved its basic problems in the last twenty years. Military-civilian relations have reached the right point. Türkiye has made great progress in infrastructure. Highways, airports, railways… Serious progress has been made. I really want Türkiye to make another leap forward. Because we are progressing, but the world is not standing idle, the world is also progressing. For example; We are going, but South Korea and China are also going.

“I WANT A ‘MIRACLE IN Türkiye’ TO BE REALIZED”

We must create a Turkish miracle. When I was a child, there was a German miracle. There was a belief that ‘Go to Germany and buy the goods, they are safe’. The most prestigious cars in the world were called German cars. As I got older, we saw the Japanese miracle. Now it is said that there is a Chinese miracle and everyone is talking about China. Now it’s time for Türkiye. We also want it to be a Turkish miracle.

Türkiye has solved its basic problems in the last twenty years, and I want Türkiye to surpass its competitors with a big leap in the next twenty years. Let me tell you about my own field, for example; There are 208 universities in Türkiye, but think about how many of our universities actually produce knowledge. If we are not good at basic sciences, we cannot produce technology. We need to turn the knowledge we produce into technology.

“AK PARTY MUST REMAIN IN POWER IN THE NEXT 20 YEARS”

Ataturk has a nice saying; “Science is achieved through examination, not through translation.” We need to establish a strong organic bond between science, industry and technology. Just like a tree. Science is the root, technology is the trunk, and industry is the fruit. We have solved Türkiye’s fundamental problems in the past twenty years. In the next twenty years, the AK Party must remain in power and Türkiye must make a leap forward. In my opinion, there are two countries with which Türkiye should compare itself. One is Germany and the other is Japan. Our influence, our political power, is greater than our economic power. This is a situation related to our President’s strategic perspective and stance.

“THERE ARE TWO LEADERS IN THE WORLD: ONE IS OUR PRESIDENT, THE OTHER IS CHINESE PRESIDENT Xi Jinping!”

There are two influential great leaders in the world. The first is our esteemed President, Mr. Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, and the second is Chinese President Xi Jinping! Look what Trump said, he never responded. He only shared a production video at the factory and made fun of Trump.

“PUTIN IS INVADING LIKE A VERY OLD-MIND RUSSIAN Czar”

“Aren’t you going to count Putin too?” “Look, there are so many underground resources in Russia… You wouldn’t believe it! But Russia cannot turn them into economic resources. It still looks at its neighbors as an old-fashioned invading tsar. Can you tell me what the point of the Ukrainian war is? It is meaningless. It is isolated from the world, embargoed. Putin does not do smart things for the Russian people. He threatens his neighbors. Another issue is that Iran and China are on very good terms. The USA does not leave no stone unturned to Iran. China is not heard at all. China is economically oppressing the whole world, especially Africa.” There is also a shortage of leaders in Europe. When the USA announced that it was withdrawing its support, they all faltered. After Merkel, Europe, especially Germany, became dependent on Russia for energy, China for defense and security.

THE REALITY OF RAILWAYS AND CHINA IN AFRICA!

China won a 500 km long railway tender in an African country. He doesn’t buy even a single nail from that country, he brings everything from China. He even brings all the workers to work here from China. They are prisoners in their country. He employs prisoners in that African country. It pays $1 a day and the cost of these inmate workers is $30 a month. If a businessman from Türkiye receives a tender from abroad, the cost of a staff member would be at least 3000 dollars. Competition with China is very difficult. The USA doesn’t shout “China China” for nothing.

EVENTIAL OATHING CEREMONY AT THE ASSEMBLY

The images in the Turkish Grand National Assembly did not suit the Gazi Parliament at all. I never liked the MPs. CHP classic, adolescent reflex. I once took Mahmut Tanal to court for insulting me. He called me one evening. He apologized. He said he wouldn’t do it again, I withdrew the case and six months later he did the same thing again. He has a different personality.

“İMAMOĞLU HAS A NATURE THAT CONSIDES EVERYTHING IS PERFECT FOR THE GOVERNMENT”

Ekrem Bey was never interested in the problems of Istanbul and always tried to design the CHP. First, he sent the Provincial President Canan Kaftancıoğlu and designed the Istanbul provincial presidency. Then he sent Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu and designed the headquarters. He was never interested in municipality in Istanbul. When he was elected Mayor of Istanbul in 2019, he immediately dreamed of becoming the President. He even guided the delegates chosen by Kemal Kılıçdaroğlu. He also did wrong things to finance politics. He saw everything as permissible to reach the goal. The mind that sees everything as permissible in order to be in power and to be the President is not the right mind.

Breaking news: MHP Chairman Devlet Bahçeli made important statements at his party’s group meeting. Stating that the Process Commission broke the rules and broke taboos with its role, Bahçeli said, “Our common goal should be a Türkiye without Terrorism. Everyone will be the winner of a Türkiye without terrorism.” he said.

Reminding that the Ministry of National Education published a circular on Ramadan activities within the scope of the Türkiye Century Education Model on February 12, 2026, Bahçeli noted that the right thing was done with an appropriate and consistent step. Stating that they appreciate and congratulate this situation, Bahçeli said, “Again, we wholeheartedly applaud the hymn called ‘Hacılar hu der Allah in the Kaaba’, which has become a dazzling trend in every age group, and our brother who sang this hymn.” he said.

In the circular of the Ministry, referring to Article 2 of the Basic Law of National Education, it is stated that the general purpose of Turkish national education is to raise individuals who adopt, protect and develop national, moral, humane, spiritual and cultural values ​​and who have turned these values ​​into behavior. Bahçeli said, “Which member of the Turkish nation with common sense and conscience can deny or neglect these facts?” posed the question.

MHP leader Bahçeli pointed out that Article 1 of the Primary Education and Training Law is clear and stated that primary education is a basic educational process that serves the physical, mental and moral development of students.

“WHERE IS THERE ANY OBLIGATION IN THE ‘RAMADAN IN THE HEART OF MAARIF’ FESTIVALS?”

Stating that the Turkish Century Education Model is based on a holistic education system that considers people in the integrity of soul and body and integrates knowledge with moral responsibility, Bahçeli said that, as stated in the circular, at the center of this model, it is essential that virtue, value, action framework and values ​​are internalized by students and transformed into behavior in their daily lives. Bahçeli continued his words as follows:

“During the month of Ramadan, the importance of planning and implementing educational and social activities aimed at improving our students’ awareness of sharing, raising awareness of helping those in need, and strengthening their sense of solidarity was expressed in the mentioned circular and was declared as an instruction. What is wrong in this circular? Take your hand to your conscience and think, has anyone seen the slightest sign, the slightest evidence that Türkiye has become ‘Talibanized’? Aren’t those who make a fuss about ‘reactionism’, bigots in the true sense? To put it in the words of the late Cemil Meriç, wouldn’t the new bigotry be defined as turning a deaf ear to our own sacred things and running away from ourselves? What is wrong with the ‘Ramadan at the Heart of Education’ festivals?

Let the Chairman of the Republican People’s Party and the group of administrators united in their opposition to Islam explain it so that we can hear and learn. Let the rotten intellectuals who are not enemies of religion, but only take their position in hostility towards Islam, and therefore entrust their souls to the devil, say frankly what they want. Where is the problem and where is there a distortion that contradicts secularism in the sincere activities that strengthen our cultural heritage and encourage the awareness of sharing and being together? How can we remain silent to the group whose milk and dough are stained, who do not make an issue of children who go to church every Sunday in foreign countries, but dare to discuss the moral and spiritual responsibility that instills the love and affection of the month of Ramadan? How can we remain unresponsive as if nothing happened? Do they have no sense of shame anymore? “Oh, you incompetent ambitious people, there is God.”

BREAKING NEWS | MHP Leader Bahçeli: If belief in God is reactionary, we are also reactionary

“IF BELIEVING IN GOD IS REACTIONARY, WE ARE AS REACTIONARY AS HONEY, LIKE ICE”

Recalling the declaration titled “We Defend Secularism Together”, Bahçeli said, “168 people, consisting of so-called experts and academics, came together and shared with the public a declaration they signed with the title ‘We Defend Secularism Together’. If you ask me, if you put these 168 people side by side, on top of each other, they would not even amount to one person. They say, defending secularism is not a crime. They say, we reject sharia impositions. They say, “We will not surrender to the darkness. Your regiment is darkness, your regiment is in darkness, you are unaware.” he said.

MHP Chairman Bahçeli stated that due to the circular of the Ministry of National Education, it was said that “There is a reactionary-Shari’a siege in Türkiye” and said, “If believing in God is reactionary, we are as reactionary as honey and ice. If conveying the respectable morals and meaning of the month of Ramadan to our children is considered reactionary, we are also partners in this until the end.” he said.

Reminding Cemil Meriç’s words “Haluk is a generic name, the name of those who escape from history”, Bahçeli pointed out that Haluk’s drama is the drama of so-called intellectuals who have not found their identity, a common feature. Bahçeli said:

“The 168 people, who would not be one person if you added them all together, are the dark side of Haluk today. I congratulate our Minister of National Education and the Ministry staff. I fully support the circular on ‘Ramadan activities’ within the scope of the Turkey Century Education Model, published by the Ministry of National Education on February 12, 2026. I condemn the 168 signatories, each of whom is today’s Haluk, to non-existence. Do not play with the sensitivities of the Muslim Turkish nation. We celebrate our month of Ramadan. “Don’t try to dilute, question, or slander us. Know your place, know your limits, don’t make us upset, don’t make us upset.”

Some detained and undetained defendants and their lawyers attended the hearing held by the Istanbul 1st High Criminal Court in the hall opposite the Marmara Closed Penal Institution.

At the hearing, relatives of the defendants and some CHP executives and party members attended as spectators. Intensive security measures were taken by the gendarmerie personnel in and around the hall.

The hearing continues with the requests of the lawyers being received.

FROM THE INDICTMENT

In the 579-page indictment prepared by the Istanbul Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, Beşiktaş Municipality, Avcılar Municipality, Esenyurt Municipality, Istanbul ASFALT Factories San. and Tic. AŞ and Istanbul Electric Tramway and Tunnel Enterprises General Directorate are listed as “damaged by crime”, 19 people are listed as “victims” and 200 people are listed as “suspects”.

In the indictment, Aziz İhsan Aktaş, one of the defendants, was accused of “forming an organization for the purpose of committing a crime”, 42 different acts of “tender rigging”, 4 different acts of “rigging the execution of an act”, 5 different acts of “forgery of official documents”, 21 different acts of “forgery of private documents”, “fraud to the detriment of public institutions and organizations”, 10 different acts of “bribery”, “property resulting from crime”. It is requested that he be sentenced to 187 to 450 years in prison for the crimes of “laundering property values” and “making false invoices” and that the assets he acquired from crime be confiscated.

In the indictment, which requested that Avcılar Mayor defendant Utku Caner Çaykara, who was suspended from his duty after his arrest, be sentenced to 5 to 15 years in prison for 2 different acts of “tender rigging” and “taking bribes”, Esenyurt Mayor defendant Ahmet Özer, who was suspended from his duty, was sentenced to 3 to 9 years in prison for 2 different acts of “tender rigging” and 2 different acts of “forgery of private documents”. It is foreseen that he will be punished with up to imprisonment.

In the indictment, it is requested that Seyhan Mayor defendant Oya Tekin, Ceyhan Mayor defendant Kadir Aydar, Adana Metropolitan Municipality Mayor defendant Zeydan Karalar and Adıyaman Mayor defendant Abdurrahman Tutdere, who was suspended from his duty and reinstated after the judicial control against him was lifted, be sentenced to imprisonment from 4 to 12 years each for the crime of “taking bribes”.

Additionally, in the indictment, the suspended Beşiktaş Mayor defendant Rıza Akpolat was accused of “being a member of a criminal organization”, 26 different acts of “tender rigging”, 3 different acts of “forgery of official documents”, 19 different acts of “forgery of private documents”, “fraud to the detriment of public institutions and organizations”, 4 different acts of “taking a bribe”, “laundering property values resulting from crime” and “wrongful property”. He is asked to be sentenced to 133 to 337 years in prison for “acquisition” crimes and the confiscation of the assets he acquired through crime.

Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Numan Kurtulmuş met with MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli. The agenda of the meeting was the terror-free Türkiye process. After the meeting, which lasted about half an hour, the Speaker of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, Numan Kurtulmuş, made a statement.

Kurtulmuş stated that he paid a visit to Bahçeli to thank him for his support to the National Solidarity, Fraternity and Democracy Commission, which was established within the scope of the ‘Terror-free Turkey’ target, and said, “From now on, we will hold meetings with the leaders of the parties in the commission. It was indeed a historical threshold for Turkey. The work is not completely finished yet, but the Parliament has fulfilled its responsibility. Unfortunately, the efforts that have been tried many times to end terrorism could not be brought to the floor of the Parliament for various reasons and our parties It could not be brought to a certain point with their common opinion. This time, a commission was formed in which all but one of the parties in the Turkish Grand National Assembly participated. Different segments of the society and groups with different political views were listened to. Finally, after the publication of the text, a text that was agreed upon by all parties is as follows: Our parties actually presented their opinions to the public with their reports as a document of political stance. “It was also included on the Parliament’s website. The opinions of political parties were also reported in the appendix of the report,” he said.

‘THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE GNAT SHOULD PREPARE THE LAWS RELEVANT TO IT’

Noting that the report shared with the public was a joint work of all parties, Kurtulmuş said, “This report was voted and, most importantly, it was accepted with the votes of 47 of 50 deputies. Good luck. We all continue to work openly, sincerely and transparently in order to follow the next process meticulously, to continue this extraordinarily mature democratic approach created under the umbrella of the Turkish Grand National Assembly, and to ensure that Türkiye does not send this issue to the dusty shelves of history forever.” We hope that the General Assembly of the Turkish Grand National Assembly will prepare the necessary laws and mature them in a short time. Once again, I would like to express my gratitude to Mr. Chairman for his historical support to this process. His guiding and constructive attitude in this process has supported and set an example not only for his party, but also for all political parties. Then Bahçeli bid farewell to Kurtulmuş.

Speaker of the Grand National Assembly of Turkey Numan Kurtulmuş visited MHP Chairman Bahçeli | Video

The ERVA Project, implemented by Kayseri Governor Gökmen Çiçek, who was not insensitive to the tears of the mother who was subjected to violence by her drug addicted child, directed children towards sports, keeping them away from the spiral of crime and addiction. The process that started with a mother’s desperate scream has today turned into a giant social project that touches the lives of thousands of young people. ERVA Project kept children away from the vortex of crime and drugs and enabled the training of 16 thousand licensed athletes. Thanks to the training provided in a wide variety of branches such as football, basketball, volleyball, wrestling and taekwondo, young people had the chance to take professional steps in the field they are interested in. Erva Sports Schools, whose number reached 65 in 3 and a half years, directed children towards sports, keeping them away from the spiral of crime and addiction. Explaining the project to SABAH, Governor Çiçek said, “I cannot forget the day I saw the desperation in a mother’s eyes. ‘Have you ever seen a mother praying for her child to die? He is using violence against me because I did not pay for drugs.’

After that mother’s screams and tears, we asked what we could do and took immediate action. The foundation of Türkiye’s largest drug rehabilitation center was laid in Kayseri, but in a short time we saw that the real success was not to save young people from addiction, but to keep them from getting close to that danger. Thereupon, we established sports schools, starting from disadvantaged neighborhoods. In the project, which started with the understanding of ‘Sports schools closer than the neighborhood grocery store’, we made sports not a luxury, but an accessible opportunity for everyone. These schools are completely free. “All expenses, from clothes to shoes, from training to tournaments, are covered,” he said. Stating that the city supports the project, Governor Çiçek said, “All relevant organizations, including the police units, are following the process closely. Students’ progress is monitored regularly. And the result is very striking: There are 16 thousand young people and none of them have a single criminal record. “ERVA Project, born from a mother’s tears, is shown as the strongest example of the ‘preventive compassion’ approach in Kayseri today,” he said.

Within the scope of the investigation carried out by the Organized Crimes Investigation Bureau of the Bakırköy Chief Public Prosecutor’s Office, new details emerged in the operation against the suspects, including 9 police officers, 1 customs enforcement officer and 1 court clerk, who were found to be affiliated with the “Caspers” criminal organization. 14 of the suspects, including 7 police officers and 1 clerk, were arrested. In the referral letter reached by SABAH; It was also stated that the gang laundered the money they received in exchange for selling information in crypto, infiltrated the Polnet and Europol systems, gave the information to the organization and received bribes. It was determined that the police officers received a total of 82 million lira in bribes. İsmail Atız, nicknamed ‘Hamuş’, the leader of the Caspers, who was wanted with a red notice, was captured in Germany on July 3, 2025. It was reported that Atız, who was released only four days later and went to Italy, would carry out an armed attack on the prosecutor who arrested Turkish citizens linked to drug trafficking in Germany. G.Ş., who is alleged to have been acting with Atız near the prosecutor’s house. The person named was caught in Germany on July 27, 2025. It was determined that Atız sent the Police Information System (Pol-Net) query result about himself to G.Ş. two days before his detention. This information was conveyed to Türkiye by Germany. In the investigation, it was determined that the person who questioned G.Ş. with his TR ID number on Pol-Net at 23.19 on May 25, 2025 was AK, who was on duty at Esenyurt Osmangazi Şehit Ersoy Karacaoğlan Police Station. It was also revealed that police officer AK prepared a false statement and release report for the wife of SCG, the leader of another organization, and signed it in her place. It was determined that SCG obtained information from public officials it was in contact with, transferred it to Caspers and other criminal organizations and provided financing. It was revealed that crypto officials received a total of 82 million lira in bribes.