Turkish court arrests main-opposition CHP mayor on 'terrorism' charges
A Turkish court arrested Istanbul’s Esenyurt District Mayor Ahmet Özer from the CHP on charges of "membership in the PKK armed terrorist organization." In response, dozens gathered outside the courthouse following calls from opposition parties.
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."
Esenyurt Belediye Başkanımız Prof. Dr. Ahmet Özer’in savcılık ifadesi için Çağlayan Adliyesi’ndeki bekleyişimiz sürüyor.
— Gül Çiftci (@gulciftci) October 30, 2024
Ahmet Özer’in İstanbul Vatan Emniyet Müdürlüğü’ndeki ifade işleminde ise, emniyet görevlileri suç teşkil edecek herhangi bir bilgi bulamadığı için açık…
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.
🔶 Esenyurt Belediyesi'ne kayyım iddiaları üzerine CHP, DEM Parti, TİP ve EMEP örgütleri Çağlayan Adliyesi’nde toplandı
— duvaR (@gazeteduvar) October 30, 2024
🔶 İBB Başkanı Ekrem İmamoğlu, yaptığı açıklamada karara tepki gösterdihttps://t.co/qc1swbQT3g pic.twitter.com/sd3BWKIKO0
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.
Esenyurt Belediye Başkanımız Prof. Dr. Ahmet Özer'e 6 ay önce temiz kağıdı verenler, bugün Başkanımızı soyut iddialarla ve yıllar önce yazdığı bir kitaptaki ifadeleriyle tutuklamıştır.
— Özgür Özel (@eczozgurozel) October 30, 2024
Kuşkusuz asıl hedef Esenyurt'taki yurttaşlarımızın iradesidir.
Kuşkusuz biz de bu…
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: