Mehmet Fatih Cicekli, governor of Ardahan province in eastern Turkey, was dismissed on July 17 by a decree signed by President Recep Tayyip Erdogan. While the government did not announce a specific reason, the decision came after intense public and political debate regarding photographs of him wearing tight cycling shorts at a community event.

The event aimed to promote sports and cycling tourism in the locality. However, Inan Akgun Alp, a member of the opposition Republican People's Party (CHP), accused Cicekli of prioritizing social media over official duties, stating that the tight attire was inappropriate for a governor.

"He walked around in tight clothing, spent the entire day cycling, with bodyguards in front, cycling in tight clothing until evening. A governor cannot wander around the city center like this", Alp stated during a parliamentary debate last week.

Samil Tayyar, a former parliamentarian from Erdogan's ruling party, argued that the attire went against cultural norms, especially in a conservative and traditional province like Ardahan. Other politicians typically wear loose sports pants when cycling.

"People can wear whatever they want in their private lives, but a governor cannot appear in public in tight clothing while on duty; it does not align with the seriousness of the state. In a traditional society like Ardahan, this is completely unacceptable", Tayyar wrote on X.

Cicekli, who was appointed governor by Erdogan in January, defended himself by asserting that his clothing was standard cycling gear.

"We will continue to cycle. I am an athlete who trains in rowing, sailing, and cycling. The clothes I wear are sports attire", he said.

A petition campaign calling for Cicekli's reinstatement has collected over 10,000 signatures. Supporters argue that he had done much good for Ardahan, such as promoting sports, youth activities, and cycling tourism.

"I believe I did not disappoint those who trusted and stood by me throughout this journey. I believe that is the greatest honor", Cicekli shared during a farewell ceremony with supporters in Ardahan on July 22.

Mehmet Fatih Cicekli. Photo: Time Turk

As he departed Ardahan, a province bordering Armenia and Georgia, local cycling enthusiasts rode behind him to bid farewell.

Nacho Sanchez Amor, a member of the European Parliament responsible for Turkey, expressed support for Cicekli, suggesting that Alp was promoting the ruling party's "conservative Islamic agenda".

Hong Hanh (According to AP, BBC)