Arrested Menderes Mayor İlkay Çiçek Resigns from CHP: 'I Was Stained by My Party'

Menderes Mayor İlkay Çiçek has resigned from the Republican People's Party (CHP) following his arrest as part of an investigation launched by the İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office. Çiçek stated that fabricated WhatsApp messages, which he claims were created on the same day and lack proof of authenticity, were used as evidence in his arrest.

“

I was referred to the disciplinary committee for expulsion without being given the right to defense, and this time I was stained by the party I dedicated my years to.

In his resignation letter submitted to the CHP headquarters, Çiçek detailed his arrest during a dawn operation on August 4, 2026. He expressed frustration that he was unaware of the reasons for his detention until his statement was taken due to a gag order on the case. He was subsequently arrested on August 7, 2026, on charges of "forming an organization" and "embezzlement."

Çiçek criticized the CHP leadership for referring him to the disciplinary committee for expulsion without allowing him to defend himself or waiting for a definitive court ruling. "I was referred to the disciplinary committee for expulsion without being given the right to defense, and this time I was stained by the party I dedicated my years to," he stated. He accused the party of trying to clear itself by sacrificing its own members and suggested that the party's calculation of council members in Menderes might be driven by a thirst for power.

“

My requests for IMEI identification of my phone and expert analysis of the messages were disregarded in the arrest file but considered evidence.

He also claimed that his previous complaint to the İzmir Chief Public Prosecutor's Office on June 19, 2026, regarding blackmail with these messages, was ignored. His requests for IMEI identification of his phone and expert analysis of the messages were disregarded in the arrest file but considered evidence. Çiçek asserted that these fabricated messages were leaked to the public, creating a presumption of guilt and violating his right to not be stained and the presumption of innocence.

“

I hope and believe that the roof that is collapsing today will be rebuilt tomorrow by the hands of those who work, on this land.