CHP Leader Özgür Özel Makes Serious Allegations Against Erdoğan and Akın Gürlek: “Audio Recordings Are Kept in a Bank Vault”

Özgür Özel Makes Headlines at Rize Rally: Criticizes Government Over Erdoğan, Akın Gürlek and the Economy

Özgür Özel delivered a wide-ranging speech during the “Protect the National Will” rally held in Rize, criticizing the government on political, economic and judicial issues.

Addressing thousands gathered at the rally, the CHP leader focused a major part of his speech on allegations involving Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan and prosecutor Akın Gürlek.

Özel claimed that Gürlek had previously “planned operations” with Erdoğan while serving as a prosecutor and is now allegedly recording conversations held over encrypted phones.

Allegations About “Audio Recordings in a Bank Vault”

One of the most controversial parts of the speech was Özel’s allegation that recordings of conversations involving Erdoğan were being stored in a bank vault.

Calling on the Interior Ministry to intervene, Özel said authorities should seize memory cards allegedly containing the recordings.

“These recordings should be confiscated immediately. If this operation is carried out today, the country can still be saved from a major mistake,” Özel stated.

The remarks quickly became one of the most discussed political developments of the day.

“The March 19 Process Is a Coup Attempt”

Özel also criticized ongoing judicial proceedings involving Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu.

Comparing recent political developments to the July 15 coup attempt, Özel argued that “today, politics is being targeted through the judiciary.”

He described the legal process against İmamoğlu as politically motivated and repeated his call for early elections with the slogan: “Release my candidate and bring the ballot box.”

Demand for 40 Lira Tea Purchase Price

Economic concerns and tea producers’ demands were another key topic during the rally.

Özel argued that the government should set the tea purchase price at no less than 40 Turkish lira per kilogram, saying current prices were insufficient for producers struggling with rising costs.

“The production cost of tea has reached 31 lira. Any price below 40 lira means exploitation of tea farmers,” he said.

The CHP leader also promised a new Tea Law under a future CHP government, including guaranteed minimum prices and state purchase guarantees.

Criticism Over Retiree Salaries and Minimum Wage

Özel strongly criticized the government over inflation and the declining purchasing power of retirees and workers.

He argued that retirees are no longer able to meet basic living costs, claiming pension payments have sharply lost value over the years.

According to Özel, pensioners who could once buy eight quarter-gold coins with their salaries can now barely afford two.

He also pledged to raise the minimum wage to what he described as a “humane standard of living.”

Opposition to Mining Projects in the Black Sea Region

Environmental concerns were another major focus of the speech.

Özel criticized mining licenses granted across the Black Sea region, particularly in Rize, Artvin, Giresun and Trabzon.

He claimed that 82 percent of Rize’s land had been opened to mining exploration and accused pro-government companies of causing environmental destruction.

“We will not allow the destruction of our forests and rivers for gold mining projects,” Özel said.

“This Crowd Signals Political Change”

Pointing to the large turnout at the rally, Özel declared that the crowd in Rize was a sign of a coming political shift in Türkiye.

Ending his speech with another call for early elections, he said: “We will win this struggle together.”