PodcastTurkish court sentences two opposition mayors over 'terrorism' charges
A Turkish court has handed out prison sentences to Tunceli Mayor Cevdet Konak, from the DEM Party, and Ovacık district Mayor Mustafa Sarıgül, from the CHP, over "terrorism" charges. The move came after the gov't once again increased its crackdown on opposition-run municipalities.
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A Tunceli court has sentenced two opposition mayors to six years and three months in prison over "terrorism" charges, Mesopotamia News Agency reported on Nov. 20.
The court sentenced both Tunceli Mayor Cevdet Konak, from the Peoples' Equality and Democracy (DEM) Party, and Ovacık district Mayor Mustafa Sarıgül, from the Republican People's Party (CHP), over allegedly "being a member of a terrorist organization."
The move came after the Turkish government increased its crackdown on opposition municipalities.
The AKP suffered a huge blow in the 2024 local elections and came second behind the CHP across the nation.
The municipalities is one of the key financial resources in Turkey, used by the AKP for its clientilist policies.
The government recently appointed four trustee mayors to oust three DEM Party and one CHP mayors.
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