Statement from Gaziantep Governor Çeber about stabbed Deputy Melih Meriç

Gaziantep Governor Kemal Çeber said that NEW Party Gaziantep Deputy Melih Meriç, who was stabbed yesterday, was taken to intensive care after surgery and his general condition was good.

Governor Çeber, after receiving information from doctors about the general condition of Meriç, who is being treated at Gaziantep City Hospital, said in a statement to journalists that Meriç is in intensive care and in good condition, and that she has started to react.

Stating that Meriç will be awakened by doctors if it is appropriate, Çeber said:

"After the surgery, there was no development that would make us or our doctors hesitate. The process is going well, hopefully he will recover very soon. The surgery was already performed by our surgeons who are specialized in their field. Therefore, as Gaziantep, we are in a really good situation in terms of health. Both our doctors, our city hospital, and our devices are all at the most advanced level. We also enjoyed the comfort of that. The family is also in higher morale today. Hopefully, our esteemed deputy will return to us in good health in a very short time."

DETAILS FROM THE SUSPECT'S STATEMENT

Çeber stated that the suspect surrendered as a result of the coordinated work of the Provincial Police Department.

Stating that the suspect gave a statement at the police station, Çeber said:

"Our police applied such intense pressure in the area where he got out of the vehicle... The suspect was caught. Of course, there are technical details, but after being sure that he would be caught, the suspect came and surrendered. He explained the incident and gave his statement. The district chairman of a party, our esteemed deputy is the deputy of that party. Then, after our esteemed deputy left his party, this person also resigns and wants to be the district chairman of his new party again, but I think the district chairmanship is not deemed appropriate. Thereupon, there are mutual discussions and as a result, yesterday's incident took place."

Stating that the prosecutors and the judicial mechanism will evaluate the next judicial process, Çeber said, "The person stated that he was at home from yesterday until the incident took place, drank alcohol, and then when the deputy came there, he took the knife used in the incident and left the house." he said.

Çeber stated that Meriç had given permission to her driver and bodyguard shortly before the incident, and that the attack took place while she was continuing her neighborhood visits alone.

WHAT HAPPENED?

Yesterday evening, New Party Gaziantep Deputy Meriç was attacked with a knife in the Akkent District of the central Şahinbey district and was taken into surgery at the hospital where he was taken. Within the scope of the investigation carried out regarding the incident, the suspect S.A.K. and 4 people were detained.