Turkish court sentences Kurdish co-mayor to prison for 'terror charges'

Kadir Cesur / Gazete Duvar

A Turkish court on Feb. 11 sentenced Abdullah Zeydan, the co-mayor of the eastern Van Metropolitan Municipality from the pro-Kurdish Peoples' Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party to three years and nine months in prison on charges of "aiding a terrorist organization" and "making propaganda for a terrorist organization through media."

The case, retried at Diyarbakır's 5th High Criminal Court, alleged that Zeydan entered a restricted area in Hakkari's Yüksekova district on October 4, 2015, participated in a human shield protest, and obstructed military operations. Zeydan, who was expected to attend via SEGBİS from Van, did not appear in court.

Speaking to Gazete Duvar days earlier, Zeydan claimed that expert reports and military officials' statements supported his innocence and said he expected acquittal if there were no political interference.

An expert report confirmed that Zeydan was 13.6 kilometers from the human shield protest site at the time of the incident. Military officials testifying in court also confirmed that Zeydan did not enter the restricted area that day.

Zeydan's lawyer, Mehmet Emin Aktar, criticized the ruling, calling it a "punishment for a political stance, not a crime." He added that the court's request for security measures after his power of attorney was filed signaled its predetermined judgment.

"This ruling violates fair trial and defense rights. The judge's independence has been compromised. The court pre-announced its decision and hastily issued the verdict without allowing objections," Aktar said.

"This is not a legal decision but a political one, seemingly tied to plans for appointing a government trustee to the municipality."

Aktar announced plans to appeal, stating, "The last Supreme Court reversal called for more investigation, which revealed no crime. If Zeydan weren't the co-mayor, the court would have acquitted him. This decision is politically motivated and intended to justify a trustee appointment."

Following Zeydan's sentencing, the municipal council resumed its regular February session under Co-Mayor Neslihan Şedal. Şedal accused the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) of undermining Kurdish political achievements and sabotaging peace processes.

"As the AKP loses ground, it attacks the Kurdish people's gains. They have disregarded our people's will for three terms, and their trustees' corruption and theft have turned them into a marginal party here. If you deny this people's identity, they will bury you at the ballot box," Şedal said.

Speaking outside the municipality, Şedal vowed to defend the people's will at all costs. "Whatever the price, even our lives, we will protect the people's will. The people of Van must know we are right, and we will win," she declared.

Şedal called on Van residents to stand united, saying, "Today is the day to defend our honor and our will. We are here in front of our municipality, standing firm for our gains. We invite all people of Van to join us here today."

Following Zeydan's overwhelming victory in the 2024 local elections with co-candidate Şedal, the provincial electoral board presented the metropolitan municipality mayorship to the ruling Justice and Development Party (AKP) candidate.

The board decided to revoke the DEM Party co-candidate Zeydan's right to be elected, as per the Justice Ministry’s recent application. 

Turkey’s Justice Ministry applied to revoke the vested rights it had agreed to grant to the previously jailed Zeydan in 2022, minutes before the work week ended on March 29. 

Abdullah Zeydan was sentenced to over eight years for “abetting” and “propagandizing for a terrorist organization” back in 2016. He was released in 2023 after the Court of Cassation had reversed his sentence. 

After his release, he had regained the right to vote and be elected. The Supreme Election Board (YSK) had investigated and approved Zeydan’s candidacy. 

(English version by Ayşenaz Toptaş)

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