PodcastAKP official disgraced for humiliating worker cites communism, capitalism in ridiculous defense
Veysel İpekçi, who was the deputy mayor of Istanbul's Güngören and has come under fire for forcing a driver working in the municipality to sit in front of a bathroom as a punishment for not standing up when he saw İpekçi, defended himself in a bizarre way, saying that he became the target of foreign powers due to developing an economic system as an alternative to communism and capitalism.
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A former deputy mayor from the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP), who was forced to resign following backlash over his humiliating treatment of a municipality worker, has blamed foreign powers, while also defending his actions.
Veysel İpekçi, who was the deputy mayor of Istanbul's Güngören, has come under fire for forcing a driver working in the municipality to sit in front of a bathroom as a punishment for not standing up when he saw İpekçi.
Following the incident, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan called for his resignation, while slamming the act. İpekçi was forced to resign from his post.
He then recorded a nine-minute video, in which he claimed that he became the target of foreign powers, while also saying that he will not resign from the AKP.
İpekçi also said that he was targeted due to developing an economic system as an alternative to communism and capitalism with Güngören Mayor Bünyamin Demir, adding that this "operation" took place when they were about to bring this alternative system to life.
Saying that he warned the driver to stand up when he sees his superiors, İpekçi noted that leaking the incident to press was not necessary.