Bahçeli Defends Selahattin Yılmaz, Slams Özel’s “Hired Killer” Remarks
MHP leader Devlet Bahçeli
Nationalist Movement Party (MHP) leader Devlet Bahçeli issued a sharp response to CHP Chair Özgür Özel’s remarks at the Aydın rally, where Özel referred to detained Selahattin Yılmaz as a “hired killer and assassin.”
In a written statement, Bahçeli described Yılmaz as his “comrade and fellow idealist”, stressing: “I believe it will be revealed in time that he is innocent and guiltless.”
“No Ülkücü Can Be Branded a Killer”
Bahçeli rejected the accusations, calling Özel’s words “a shameful and degraded language.” He declared:
“No ülkücü can ever be defined as a hired killer, assassin, traitor, or illegitimate. Such claims are slander and baseless fabrications.”
He also underlined that “no one can give direction to MHP”, adding: “Selahattin Yılmaz is my comrade and brother in cause. His innocence will be proven in due course.”
Attacking CHP Over Corruption Claims
Beyond defending Yılmaz, Bahçeli used his statement to attack CHP, alleging widespread corruption, bribery, and illicit networks in municipalities under CHP rule. He accused CHP of building a “throne of theft and illegitimacy”, while portraying Özel’s remarks as an attempt to distract from scandals surrounding his own party.
Bahçeli concluded by urging CHP to engage in self-criticism: “The only honorable option for CHP is to face the facts, confront the deep swamp it has fallen into, and support the judicial process instead of creating slander.”
