AK Parti official Mahmut Mert Çelik resigns over Rolex controversy

Mahmut Mert Çelik, the AK Parti Denizli Provincial Youth Branch President, has resigned from his position following a social media controversy involving a luxury Rolex watch. Çelik had posted a photo of the watch with a note thanking “Kıymetli ağabeyim Mehmet Kalyoncu” (My precious brother Mehmet Kalyoncu).

The post triggered widespread public backlash and speculation that the gift was from Mehmet Kalyoncu, a board member of Kalyon Holding. In response to the controversy, Çelik clarified that the gift was actually from a different individual with the same name—a contractor based in Izmir with whom he has worked on architectural projects.

Çelik stated that his incomplete expression caused a misunderstanding that harmed his political party and his cause. He issued an apology for the public distraction and requested to be relieved of his duties. Mehmet Kalyoncu of Kalyon Holding also released a statement confirming he had no connection to the gift or the social media post.