Two more in office were removed after being convicted of “terrorism”, as the authorities of the country announced today. The mayors of Tungeli and Owajik in Turkey were sentenced this week to six years and three months in prison each as members of the Kurdistan Workers’ Party (PKK) and replaced by mayors appointed by the state, the interior ministry announced. The dismissed mayor of Tungeli, Chevdette Konak, is a member of Turkey’s main pro-Kurdish party (DEM, former HDP). DEM is the third force in the Turkish parliament and is often targeted by authorities who accuse it of connections with the PKK. Mustafa Sarigiul, the mayor of Owajik, is approaching the People’s Republican Party (CHP), the largest opposition party which won the local elections last March. Both stated on Thursday (21/11/2024) to reporters that their convictions were unfounded and simply prepared the ground for their demolition. Angry protesters gathered tonight (22/11/2024) outside the town hall of Tungeli. Some tried to break the police cordon. In late October and early November four other mayors were also deposed, accused of “terrorism”. Their replacement was condemned by the Council of Europe and organisations to defend human rights. The DEM condemned the deposed by the two mayors stating that “the government slowly destroys the will of the people”. CHP leader Ozgur Ozzel denounced the “stealing of the nation’s will”.
Turkey: Two mayors convicted of terrorism and deposed
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in World