Turkish court arrests main-opposition CHP mayor on 'terrorism' charges

Duvar English

An Istanbul court on late Oct. 30 arrested Turkey’s main opposition Republican People’s Party (CHP) Esenyurt District Mayor Ahmet Özer on charges of "membership in the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) armed terrorist organization."

Özer was detained earlier in the morning in a house raid and district governor Oğuzhan Bingöl was appointed as the trustee mayor to the district.

It was revealed that the investigation into the mayor began in July 2024, just a few months after his election. He was not allowed to meet with his lawyers for an extended period and even Istanbul Bar chair could not see the allegations against the main-opposition mayor. 

His lawyer emphasized that the investigation was unrelated to his official duties and added, “Some leaked information—details that his lawyers could not access but somehow made it to the press—mentions a 10-year-old communication record and quotes from his books. These are legally published works, available in every bookstore across Turkey. They’re also referring to instances where his name appears in meeting notes.”

CHP Vice Chair and lawyer Gül Çiftçi stated on social media, "We see that they are trying to fabricate charges from Özer's book titled ‘Dağ Sancısı,’ which he says focuses on 'peace,' from allegations about an artist who attended a culture festival he inaugurated with the Esenyurt District Governor, from a satirical magazine and article found in his office, and even from condolence calls—a courtesy all mayors observe."

Istanbulites gather around Çağlayan Courthouse

In response to calls from the CHP, pro-Kurdish Peoples’ Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, leftist Workers’ Party of Turkey (TİP), and Labor Party (EMEP), Istanbul residents gathered at Çağlayan Courthouse, where the mayor was brought.

The crowd in front of the courthouse chanted, "Detentions and arrests won’t intimidate us," and called on the government to resign.

Istanbul Metropolitan Municipality (İBB) Mayor Ekrem İmamoğlu also arrived at the courthouse.

Addressing the crowd, İmamoğlu criticized the government, "Empty indictments are being used for character assassination. This is an attempt to undermine justice, law, and democracy. What is your problem with Istanbul and its people? Is this what you mean by unity, peace, and harmony? Do you think you’ll fix the economy and restore the country's reputation with this mindset? Is this your vision for the 'Century of Turkey'?"

CHP Chairperson Özgür Özel, announcing the mayor's arrest, called for a gathering in front of Esenyurt Municipality on Oct. 31 at 4 PM local time.

CHP won the 2024 local elections in Esenyurt, Istanbul's most populated district, with 49.05 percent of the votes, while the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) candidate came in second with 39.18 percent.

Here is Gazete Duvar's footage from the protests in front of the courthouse: