AKP Deputy Chair Büyükgümüş compared fund scandal defendants to Uhud archers, then deleted the post

AKP General Deputy Chair Ahmet Büyükgümüş compared AKP-affiliated figures named in the fund scandal to the archers of the Battle of Uhud who, contrary to Prophet Muhammad's instruction to "absolutely not leave your positions," abandoned their posts, resulting in 70 martyrs. After facing backlash, Büyükgümüş deleted his post and backtracked, stating: "Sometimes statements go far beyond what was intended."

The comparison drew sharp criticism from figures close to the AKP. Selman Öğüt asked "Is it possible to equate our honourable Companions with thieves?" and called for an apology from Büyükgümüş. Yeni Yol Group Chairman Mehmet Emin Ekmen said, "They would do well not to confuse our archers with their own crooks."

Victory Party General Deputy Chair Fatih Eryılmaz, calling it an "instructive confession," stated that Büyükgümüş views "himself and the Turkish nation as Meccan infidels," accepting those who plundered national funds in the funds scandal as plunderers yet like Companions, and those citizens whose savings were plundered as Meccan infidels, thereby providing "the shortest summary of Political Islam."