“It is simply shameless for the provocateur CHP chair [Özgür Özel] to rant and rave at the court gates with a handful of MHP enemies,” Bahçeli told party members in the parliament on Oct. 1.

Ateş was fatally shot by gunman Eray Özyağcı as he left his office on Dec. 30, 2022, in the capital Ankara’s Çukurambar quarter. The Grey Wolves, once led by Ateş, is a far-right movement affiliated with the MHP.

Özel attended the hearing on Sept. 30 and voiced his concerns to the press.

“The court is trying to decide at the speed of light,” Özel said. “There are only the shooters here. Some of the main instigators are in the file with the confidentiality order.”

He was referring a separate probe concerning the alleged involvement of then-MHP lawmaker Olcay Kılavuz.

“Those who shamelessly distort the facts and look for instigators and murderers… should first look in the mirror and then speak as much as their honor and dignity allow,” Bahçeli said.